A man convicted of raping a woman 16 years ago has been jailed for five years and put onto the sex offenders register for life.
Adam Merchant, 35, of Mill Bank, Barrow-in-Furness was found guilty of one count of rape at a trial in September.
He was sentenced to five years in prison today at Manchester Crown Court.
In summer 2005, at the age of 19, Merchant, from Cumbria, was in Manchester visiting family when he raped a 15-year-old girl in Priory Gardens in Sale.
Police launched an investigation into the incident in February 2020, when it was first reported to them.
The victim has since been supported by specialist officers and partner agencies.
When tracked down by police, Merchant denied knowing the victim and denied any wrongdoing.
But the jury at a three-day trial at Manchester Crown Court in September found him guilty of rape.
Detective Constable Jane Naylor, of GMP’s Major Incident Team, said: “I would like to thank the victim for her cooperation. It takes a great amount of courage to come forward, especially after so many years have passed since the abuse.
"Merchant is now a convicted rapist who is going to serve a long custodial sentence. While justice has been served, it still does not take away the impact that the sexual abuse has had and continues to have on the victim.
“However, this sentencing goes to show that no matter the amount of time gone by, it will not reduce the severity of an offender’s actions.
"I urge anyone who is a survivor of non-recent sexual abuse to get in contact with the police so that we can make sure those reports are investigated with a view to bringing the offenders to justice."
Anyone affected by this case can contact police online, if able, via www.gmp.police.uk or call 101.
Details can also be passed to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
