A woman who successfully evaded capture for three decades after committing a series of armed robberies has been sentenced to 15 years in prison. The case, which had grown cold over the years, was finally resolved through advances in forensic technology and persistent detective work.
Linda Thompson, now 57, was convicted of three armed robberies that took place between 1990 and 1993 in the Manchester area. At the time, Thompson was in her mid-20s and masterminded a string of hold-ups targeting post offices and small banks. She and an accomplice would brandish handguns, often wearing disguises, and make off with cash before vanishing without a trace.
For years, the trail went cold. Thompson assumed a false identity, moved frequently, and avoided any activity that might flag her to authorities. She married, had children, and lived an unremarkable life under the radar. It was not until 2021 that a cold case review used DNA evidence from a discarded cigarette butt to link Thompson to the crime scenes. The sample matched a database entry from a minor offence decades earlier, leading to her arrest.
At trial, the prosecution presented evidence of Thompson's meticulous planning and the psychological trauma inflicted on victims. One victim, a 68-year-old postmistress, testified that she still suffers from anxiety and flashbacks. The defence argued that Thompson had since become a model citizen and had not reoffended, but the judge emphasised the severity of the crimes.
Sentencing, Judge Margaret Hartley said: 'This is a case of supreme irony. The same criminal sophistication that allowed you to evade justice for 30 years has now been your undoing. The passage of time does not erase the terror you inflicted on your victims. Justice has been delayed, but it has not been denied.'
Thompson's case highlights the persistent reach of forensic science. Dr Helena Vance, Science and Climate Correspondent, notes: 'This is a textbook example of how cold case units leverage DNA databases and familial searching. In physical terms, every contact leaves a trace. For criminals who thought themselves long clear, the net of evidence can tighten decades later.'
The verdict has been welcomed by victims' families, who had given up hope of ever seeing justice. For Thompson, the life she built during her years on the run is now forfeit. She will serve a minimum of 12 years before being eligible for parole, at which point she will be nearly 70.
The case serves as a stark reminder: no fugitive can outrun the relentless march of forensic science.
