Leeds man jailed for 21 years after raping schoolgirl in Bradford

Christopher Hardisty, 48, was sentenced at Leeds Crown Court today after being convicted of nine counts of rape.

They took place at an address in Bradford when the victim was aged between 12 and 15 years old.

Hardisty, of Woodside Park Avenue, Horsforth, was interviewed in March 2015 after the victim made disclosures to police. 　

He was charged following a detailed investigation by officers from the Bradford District Safeguarding Unit. 　

Detective Constable Alison Hanson, the investigating officer in the case, said: "We would like to thank the victim for her courage in coming forward and reporting Hardisty's crimes.　

"We hope the sentence he has received will give her some closure and allow her to move forward with her life. 　

"We also hope this outcome encourages others who have not yet come forward, to speak with our specially trained officers.　

"It is cases like these which show that justice has no time limit and each report will be investigated sensitively and thoroughly to bring perpetrators before the courts."