A police officer has been jailed for 26 years for 20 offences including multiple counts of rape and sexual assault on a child.
Stephen Hardy, 46, a detective constable with Greater Manchester Police (GMP), used his teenage victim as a “puppet or sex object”, Judge Robert Trevor-Jones said during his sentencing on Wednesday.
Hardy was found guilty following a trial at Liverpool Crown Court of the offences, which included six counts of rape.
Sentencing him on Wednesday, the judge said: “You have never shown one iota of remorse for your behaviour.
“The indictment reflects a highly calculated and cynical course of grooming behaviour.”
He described Hardy as having a “devious” personality with a “sinister streak”.