Lee and Stephen Ainsby admitted kidnapping and raping a 17-year-old girl in Warwick Road, Banbury, on June 23, 1995.

However, they were not caught until Lee Ainsby, 32, of Brackley Road, Croughton, was arrested for a separate drunk and disorderly offence in 2003 and police took a DNA sample, which was put on the national database.

His DNA was eventually matched to the samples taken at the time of the rape as part of the Home Office initiative Operation Advance, aimed at solving open cases.

It was then DNA experts realised the second attacker must have been a relative to Lee Ainsby and his brother was asked to give a sample.

Stephen Ainsby, 34, of Glamis Place, Banbury, made a full confession before the results even came back.

Both were jailed for ten years at Oxford Crown Court on Friday. The court had heard their victim had been walking home in the early hours of the morning when she was abducted by the brothers and driven to a secluded spot near Ladbroke, about 16 miles from Banbury, where Stephen Ainsby threatened to kill her and both men repeatedly raped her. The men left her almost naked at the scene and drove off. The terrified girl ran across fields until she reached Ladbroke and found help.

Fiona Horlick, prosecuting, said: "For almost ten years the perpetrators of this brutal and heartless attack remained free men. In the intervening years this attack had a very profound effect on the victim and her family. She was very badly affected as were her family and she has in many ways never recovered from that night."

Graham Logan, representing Stephen Ainsby, said: "I know you will give him credit for his genuine desire to prevent the victim having to relive the ordeal through the giving of evidence."

David Hughes, defending Lee Ainsby, said his client was told to stop the car by his brother who got out, grabbed the victim and bundled her into the back.

He said: "He accepts that he was a willing participant in what was a disgraceful incident. He has been ashamed of this night and deeply regrets what occurred. He can proffer no explanation why he behaved in that manner."

The court was told both brothers insisted they had not planned the offence.

Passing sentence, Judge Julian Hall said: "This offence has shattered the life of the victim, not only that but it did the same to other members of her family."

Following the hearing, Detective Inspector Rob Mason said: "I was involved in the case ten years ago and it was an inquiry that was very dear to the many officers that were involved because they were so horrified by the attack.

"This case demonstrates how police will continue to investigate cases however long this may take to bring offenders to justice. We were very pleased for the victim and her family.

"They've been through hell as a result of this. Hopefully they can now rebuild their lives."