A DOUBLE rapist was jailed again on Monday, after DNA evidence linked him to a sex attack more than 20 years ago.

Paul Logan, 45, of Drybeck Court, Chester-le-Street, pleaded guilty to raping a 19-year-old croupier in 1980.

Judge David Hodson, who sentenced Logan to eight years, said: "The implications of your actions against this young woman were horrific. She has no doubt been haunted by these events for the last 24 years."

The conviction was the latest success for Operation Phoenix, a team of detectives at Northumbria Police who are employing modern forensic techniques to investigate old case files.

The court heard how the teenager had been shopping in Newcastle city centre before Logan and another man grabbed her.

They dragged her onto some waste ground and threw her over a gate into a compound. Logan raped her while his associate, who has never been traced, kept a lookout.

Mitigating, Glen Gatland QC said: "The defendant has no recollection of what happened in 1980 but accepts the overwhelming evidence against him and he is very sorry for what he has done."

The victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, gave a statement outside the court. She said: "Should I be glad this person who degraded and dehumanised me actually owned up and told the truth after 24 years? I don't think so.

"Without Operation Phoenix, this man would never ever have admitted any guilt for his overpowering actions and my subsequent torment since June 1980."

Logan was previously jailed for six years in June 1981 for a separate sex attack, where he and two other men from Pelton, near Chester-le-Street abducted and raped a 16-year-old girl.

That attack took place in Heworth, Gateshead, in March 1981 - less than a year after he raped the first teenager in Newcastle.

Det Insp Garry Dixon of Northumbria Police said: "Logan has proved himself to be a serial sex offender who was ruthless in his violent attacks against women.

"The conviction and sentence is further evidence of the effectiveness of DNA as an investigative tool. Convictions like this could not have been possible without the courage of victims, whose co-operation in revisiting these offences is so vital to the Operation Phoenix team.

"Operation Phoenix goes from strength to strength in tracking down offenders who thought they had escaped with their crimes."