Aron Traynor 56

Description

A man has been jailed for 13 years after Greater Manchester Police’s Cold Case Unit linked him to the indecent assault and attempted rape of a 74yearold woman in Stockport from more than 30 years ago.

The conviction follows a renewed cold case investigation and advances in forensic science that allowed evidence from 1992 to be reexamined.

Aron Traynor, 56, of London Road, Stockport, was sentenced at Minshull Street Crown Court on Friday 8 May 2026 for the violent indecent assault and attempted rape of a woman in 1992.

The victim, who has since passed away, was attacked by a stranger while walking near her home. Despite extensive forensic work at the time, no suspect was identified.

The case remained under active review. In 2005, the Cold Case Unit commissioned further forensic analysis, producing a nearcomplete DNA profile that was added to the National DNA Database, but no match was found at that time.

A breakthrough came when a DNA sample taken from Traynor following an unrelated arrest for drink-driving in August 2023 matched the profile developed by the Cold Case Unit, finally bringing longawaited justice for the victim’s family.

 In October 2023, the Cold Case Unit was formally notified of the match, and Traynor was arrested shortly afterwards.

A fiveday jury trial in March 2026 found him guilty on both charges.

Detective Chief Inspector Cheryl Hughes said:

“Time is quite simply no barrier to justice.

“Today’s sentencing shows that we never close investigations into serious violent or sexual offences. DNA is crucial, but it’s the painstaking work of our officers - revisiting evidence, tracing witnesses, and rebuilding the investigative picture - that ultimately brings offenders to justice.

“Offenders should be in no doubt that forensic science continues to advance, and every interaction they have with the criminal justice system increases the chance of their crimes being uncovered.

“I’d like to thank the victim’s family for their support and cooperation in this case. Although the victim sadly has not lived to see justice served, I hope this sentence gives her family a sense of peace that the offender has been held accountable.”

A statement from the victim’s son was read in court, describing the devastating and lasting impact the attack had on his mother’s confidence, independence and wellbeing. He said the assault changed her life profoundly and affected the whole family.

GMP remains committed to tackling violence against women and girls and ensuring perpetrators are brought to justice — no matter how much time has passed.