A MAN has been jailed for 21 years after he was found guilty of multiple rape charges. ?

Christopher Hardisty, aged 48, of Woodside Park Avenue in Horsforth, was sentenced today at Leeds Crown Court for the offences, which took place when the victim was aged between 12 and 15 at an address in Bradford.?

Hardisty (pictured) was interviewed in March 2015 after the victim went to police. ?

He was charged with nine serious sexual offences following an investigation by officers from the Bradford District Safeguarding Unit. ?

Investigating officer Detective Constable Alison Hanson, 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.”