A man who raped a young girl when she was just 14-years-old has been jailed.
The victim, and the police officer handling her case, were also both threatened with rape in a vile text message sent by another man during the investigation.
Andrew Armstrong 34, of Mossdale Road, Manchester, pleaded guilty to one count of rape at an earlier hearing.
Today, 10 July 2015, Armstrong was sentenced to six years in jail at Manchester Crown Court, Crown Square.
He has also signed the sex offenders register for life.
Armstrong raped the teenage girl in 2001, when she was just 14-years-old.
The victim reported to police that she had been raped by Armstrong. A file of evidence was passed to the Crown Prosecution Service in 2002 who decided no action should be taken.
She continued to suffer in silence for a number of years, fearing she would not be believed, until in 2013 she contacted Greater Manchester Police about what had happened to her and a fresh investigation was launched.
On the morning Armstrong entered his plea, 12 May 2015, the victim and the GMP officer leading the investigation were sent a text message from an unknown number which contained a picture of an erect penis and a threat that both the victim and the police officer would be raped by the sender if she gave evidence.
An investigation into this matter is currently ongoing and another man, aged 59, has been arrested and bailed in connection with these inquiries.
Detective Constable Rachel Wood, lead investigator, said: “This is one of the most harrowing cases I have ever dealt with during my years as a police officer.
“This woman has not only suffered for years knowing she had been a victim of rape, but has also had to suffer the further torment of being ostracised from her family who refused to believe her when she had the courage to speak up. At a time when she needed the most help and support, those closest to her turned their backs on her.
“It was only in 2013 when I began a thorough investigation into Armstrong’s years of abuse that she finally felt someone was listening.
“Even on the morning of Armstrong’s plea, both the victim and myself were subjected to vile sexual threats so it is even more testament to the courage and bravery of this woman that she did not back down in the face of such disgusting threats and as a result, Armstrong has been convicted of his appalling crime.
“She has told me that the abuse she suffered at the hands of Armstrong ruined her life, to the point where she is paranoid the same thing will happen to her own children.
“I can only hope that today, knowing her bravery has resulted in Armstrong being sent to prison for a long time, she can now finally start to rebuild her life in the knowledge that the police and the courts did believe her and Armstrong is behind bars.”
