A RAPIST has been jailed for six years for a attack on a woman 14 years ago, after he was identified through advances in forensic technology.

Wayne Kirby, 37, of Dabbs Hill, Northholt, was arrested in October 2007 after being identified through DNA samples taken at the time of the attack.

Kirby pleaded guilty to rape on October 31 at Southwark Crown Court, and was sentenced yesterday to six years in prison.

He will also have to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

On May 18, 1993, the day of the attack, Kirby climbed through the window of his victim's ground-floor hostel room in Dove House Court, Kittiwake Road, Notholt.

The victim, who was at home looking after her sick baby, had left the window open to let in some air when she went to bed, just before midnight.

She woke up a little later, fearing there was someone in her room.

Kirby then attacked and raped her, as her six-month-old baby slept in bed next to them.

Police arrested four suspects at the time, but their DNA profiles did not match any on the National DNA Database, and they were released.

DC Lana Kettel, who led the investigation for Greenwood Police, said: "I hope this case will give other potential victims the strength to come forward and report previously unreported offences to police.

"I'd like to reassure the community that the police will prosecute offenders for offences that have remained undetected for a number of years."

In 2002 the Sapphire Cold Case Investigation Team was set up to investigate all unsolved rape allegations reported to the Met.