Police have yet to identify the man who violently attacked a mother of four in West Bromwich, but they have obtained a DNA profile capable of ruling suspects in or out of the inquiry.
Amanda Quiney was assaulted and knocked unconscious in the Priory Woods area of Sandwell Valley Country Park on the morning of June 29 this year. Due to being struck from behind, she could not provide a description of her attacker.
West Midlands Police acquired a DNA sample from Amanda which, although not of sufficient quality to enter into the national DNA database, will enable investigators to compare with suspects directly.
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Detective Inspector Phil Griffiths appeared on BBC Crimewatch Live on October 5 and explained: “Unfortunately, Amanda was hit from behind and knocked unconscious, so we have no description of the attacker. We have examined CCTV footage and know she was not followed into the park, but the attacker’s movements before and after remain unknown.”
He added that witnesses had assisted the investigation, but the suspect had not been identified. “We have submitted several forensic samples and obtained a DNA profile from Amanda. When we identify suspects, we will be able to compare their DNA to this profile to confirm or exclude them.”
Host Rav Wilding remarked on the significance of the DNA, noting it could easily eliminate innocent individuals from suspicion. Detective Inspector Griffiths confirmed this, stating, “Yes.”
Further details revealed that the police have liaised with national agencies monitoring similar offences, but no links to other cases, local or national, have been found.
Amanda Quiney spoke about her ordeal during the programme, describing it as “terrifying” to know her attacker remains at large and worried it could happen to someone else. She recalled being struck on the back of the head as she walked to her car but has no memory after that moment. “How can you process something that you can’t remember? I need answers.”
Upon waking, Amanda found herself in an unfamiliar location. She had a painful, bleeding head, her leggings and underwear were pulled down to her ankles, and her top was ripped around the neck. She said, “It wasn’t until I pulled myself together that I realised something serious had happened. I had been raped.”
Police are urging anyone who was in the park from around 8am to 11am on June 29 and who has not yet spoken to officers to come forward. Witnesses can contact West Midlands Police via the live chat at www.west-midlands.police.uk or call 101, quoting incident number 20/304639/26.