A RAPIST has been jailed for 21 years after he was found guilty of a series of attacks on a child.

Christopher Hardisty, 48, of Woodside Park Avenue, Horsforth, was sentenced on Friday at Leeds Crown Court for the multiple rapes, which took place in Bradford when the victim was aged between 12 and 15.

Hardisty was interviewed in March 2015 after the young girl spoke to police.

He was charged with nine serious sexual offences following a detailed 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 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."