Man jailed for Bolton rape and hammer threat

A man who raped a young girl in Greater Manchester and threatened her with a sledgehammer if she told anyone has been jailed for 14 years.

David Court, 61, of Ruby Street, Astley Bridge was found guilty of indecent assault and rape at Bolton Crown Court.

He first raped his victim in 1996 when she was 10 years old, but she did not come forward until 2009, police said.

Det Con Pam Chandler said: "What she suffered is unthinkable but I would like to commend her for her bravery."

The victim was raped a second time at Court's home, where she was helping him tend horses that he kept.

She revealed what had happened after seeing Court at a function in January 2009.

Court offered to take a lie detector test to prove his innocence but later confessed and was arrested.

Police said that Court complained about what would happen to his horses if he went to jail.

Det Con Pam Chandler said: "To assault and rape a defenceless, vulnerable young girl is a sickening act. To then threaten her with a hammer if she ever spoke out just compounds what a cruel and vindictive man Court is.

"He even seemed more bothered about his horses than what a traumatic ordeal he had put this young girl through when confronted with a lie detector.

"Her actions have put a very dangerous man where he belongs which is prison."

Court was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.