Man on double Leeds rape charge is held in custody

Michael Cardy, of Allerton Grange Croft, Roundhay, appeared at Leeds Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (Sept 25) for a preliminary hearing into the allegations.

The court was told that he was charged with raping a 24-year-old woman in Lovell Park, Grafton Street, Little London, in the early hours of last Friday, September 20.

He has also been charged with raping a woman, whose age has not been revealed, in Westbury Place South, Belle Isle, on Thursday, August 15.

During today’s 20-minute hearing, the court was told Cardy had initially been arrested and interviewed by officers on August 16 after a woman contacted police to say that she had been attacked at the property in Belle Isle in the early hours of the previous day.

He was given police bail on that occasion while enquiries were carried out and was told to attend a police station in November.

However, he was then arrested again on Monday of this week by West Yorkshire Police Homicide and Major Enquiry Team (HMET) following the alleged incident in Lovell Park.

A woman had called police saying that she had been assaulted in the park in the early hours of Friday while on her way home after a night out in Leeds city centre.

Following 48 hours in custody, Cardy was charged with both offences by HMET detectives this morning.

Wearing a grey jumper and patterned shorts, dark-haired Cardy, who was flanked by two security guards in the dock, spoke only to confirm his personal details during the hearing.

Deputy District Judge Moran told him that the case was too serious to be dealt with at the magistrates’ court.

“Because of the nature of these offences, they have to be sent to the crown court,” he added.

Cardy was remanded into custody to appear at Leeds Crown Court for a further preliminary hearing on October 9, when discussions about how the case will proceed are likely to take place.

Neither of the alleged victims can be identified for legal reasons.