Rapist jailed for nine years

JAILED: Paul Garforth

AN Oldham man has been jailed for sexually assaulting a teenage girl — then raping her, years later.

Paul Garforth (54), landlord of the Weaver’s Arms pub in Huddersfield Road, was sentenced to nine years at Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court yesterday by Judge Peter Lakin after being found guilty.

Garforth raped the 22-year-old victim on November 22 last year. She called the police and an investigation was launched by officers.

The same victim later said she was sexually assaulted by Garforth a number of times between the ages of 15 and 17.

Det Con Christine Nolan, of Oldham CID, said: “Garforth first preyed on the victim when she was just a teenager, carrying out frequent sexual assaults.

“His offending got steadily more serious and he raped the same victim when she was 22.

“I want to pay tribute to the victim who has shown great bravery in first coming forward, then reliving the ordeal again in a lengthy rape trial.

“I hope this sentencing shows that we take all allegations of sexual offences extremely seriously and will pursue the offenders through the courts.”

Garforth will have to sign the sex offenders’ register and is banned from working with children.