RAPIST GETS LIFE: IT was last Christmas Eve when the Evening Advertiser broke the news of the sex attack in Euclid Street.

Less than seven months later, after the newspaper followed up with an appeal to help police, Keith Evans was beginning a prison sentence after being convicted of rape.

Evans had pounced between 2am and 2.45am on the Saturday, and Acting Detective Sergeant Adrian Davis left no doubt as to the severity of the incident.

"This was a really unpleasant attack which left the victim extremely distressed," he said at the time. "We would like to speak to anyone who may have seen the woman, who was left with blood on her face."

The attack took place near Queens Park Social Hall, which was cordoned off for forensic analysis.

On Christmas Eve the Advertiser carried a description of the attacker, containing the kind of clothes he was wearing and his approximate age, height and build.

On December 28, through the Advertiser, police renewed their appeal for witnesses to the attack with another description of the suspect and a photograph of the incident scene.

But it was an appeal run on the front of the January 2 Evening Advertiser which proved to be the catalyst which brought Evans to book. A picture of the rapist was shown, taken from close circuit television footage at Angelo's night club, Fleet Street, where Evans had moved in on his victim.

"We are anxious to trace this man so that we can eliminate him from our inquiries," DS Davis said. "I would urge him to get in contact with us. Or if anyone knows who he might be, they can contact me at Swindon Central Police station or call Crimestoppers."