Stephen Marwood jailed for raping a girl under 13

Stephen Marwood

Stephen Marwood has been jailed for raping a girl under 13.

Marwood (born 16/01/1978) of Dufton Walk, Middleton pleaded guilty to eleven counts of rape.

He was sentenced to 16 years and six months in prison on Friday (17 July).

Between February 2012 and January 2015 Marwood raped the girl at an address in Rochdale.

The abuse emerged when the girl recorded it happening and then reported it to police.

Detective Constable Chris Whalley said: "This is a horrific case, where the victim was not old enough to even understand the abuse she was being subjected to.

"The victim and her family are being supported by specially trained officers, who we hope will assist them to come to terms with what has happened.

"This sentence goes some way to demonstrating that we will go to any length possible to punish those who target the innocent for their own gratification.

"Greater Manchester is nationally recognised as a model of good practice in terms of support services available to victims. If you, or anybody you know, have been a victim of a rape or sexual assault, we have specialist officers to support you through the justice process."