A RAPIST who evaded capture for 22 years was caught through a ‘one-in-a-billion’ DNA match.

James John Robertson, 58, of Spring Street, Rishton, assaulted the 20-year-old during a ‘horrendous’ two-hour attack.

She was driven into the countryside by Robertson and raped after accepting a lift following an argument with a friend.

Yesterday, as he was jailed for life, a judge branded him a ‘depraved and dangerous’ man.

The court heard the incident happened in 1988, six years after he had been released from prison for murder.

But the crime laid unsolved for two decades until cold case detectives re-examined samples which had been taken from the rape victim.

Using the latest advances in scientific techniques, the samples were tested by forensic experts and provided a match with Robertson.

He had been included in the country’s DNA database after he was convicted of grievous bodily harm eight years ago.

Police traced him to his home in Rishton and Lancashire Police arrested him in March last year.

Robertson, who committed the rape in Canterbury, Kent, had pleaded not guilty to rape, actual bodily harm and indecent assault.

But he was convicted by a jury following a trial.

Judge Adele Williams said: “You are a depraved and dangerous man.

"You acted in a cold and calculated manner.

”You have perverted tendencies and you have shown no remorse.

"You will remain in prison until it is considered you no longer remain a danger to women.”

He must serve a minimum of seven years before he is considered for parole.

Police said Robertson had been convicted of murder and assaulting a police officer in Scotland in 1971.

He was freed in 1982.

Sally Hill, a senior cold case scientist from the Forensic Science Service, said: “Advances in DNA pioneered by the service enabled us to go back and look again at the evidence in this case.

“We are very pleased that we have been able to assist Kent by providing them with a new lead which ultimately resulted in the successful conviction of James Robertson.

“The service has retained materials from decades ago which have enabled forces from around the country to achieve more than 230 cold case convictions and finally bring closure to victims.”

Kent Police said the victim was “overjoyed” that Robertson has been found guilty.

A spokesman said: “She is relieved that he has been identified and is facing a substantial time in prison.”

During the 13-day trial, jurors heard how the victim had been out with friends in Canterbury city centre in Kent on August 19, 1988, when Robertson approached her as she argued with a friend.

He offered her a lift home but instead of taking an agreed route, he drove out of the city to a rural area where, for more than two hours, he assaulted and raped her.

The jury was told the probability of the DNA sample matching Robertson was ‘one-in-a-billion’.