A man who raped an Edmonton teenager 14 years ago has been jailed after advancements in DNA technology linked him to the crime.

Neville Douglas, 34, of Blackhorse Road, Waltham- stow, was sentenced to nine years in prison for rape and robbery at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday.

It was a landmark result for the cold case' investigation unit which reopens unsolved rape cases, as it was the first to see the defendant protest his innocance despite overwhelming DNA evidence against him.

The court was told an 18-year-old woman from Edmonton, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was raped after she and a friend asked Douglas and his friend to give tham a lift home from a nightclub in Stoke Newington on March 11, 1991.

Douglas stole the teenager's gold chain and raped her when he was left alone in the car with her.

The incident was reported to the police but officers were only able to put Douglas at the scene in February 2005 after matching DNA results.

The victim, now aged 32, was deeply emotionally affected by the incident, and even contemplated suicide.

DS Simon Harding, an officer in the case, said: "She found it very difficult when we reinvestigated the case and she had to tell her story in court.

"But I met her again when he was sentenced, and she was absolutely delighted and wanted to start rebuilding her life."

DI Rob Anderson, who was in charge of the investigation, added: "This was a terrifying attack. Douglas continually denied the offence, attacking both the victim and the police investigation's credibility.

"The sentence will in no way undo the damage caused by Neville Douglas to his victim but will hopefully secure some closure to her ordeal."

He added: "This case should send a strong message to sex offenders and rapists that despite the passage of time they are not safe from conviction.

"We are committed to solving rape and supporting victims of these crimes. The Cold Case Rape Investigation team is part of that commitment and should help reassure victims their cases are not forgotten."

Douglas was sentenced to nine years in jail for rape and one year for robbery. The sentences will run concurrently.