A PERVERT has been jailed for 15 years, more than a decade after he raped one schoolgirl and sexually abused another.
Michael Horner, now 43, was found guilty of the rape and indecent assault by a jury.
The jury, sitting at Leeds Crown Court, heard how Horner carried out the offences on the 13-year-old girls, who cannot be named, between 1999 and 2001.
Horner, of Waterloo Grove, Pudsey, was in his early thirties when he abused his young victims at his former home in Guiseley.
The court heard Horner, who works as a shop manager, used to lure the girls to the property by buying them cigarettes and alcohol.
He then let them drink and smoke at the house before sexually abusing them.
Horner allowed the victims to sleep over at the home he shared with his wife while she was working night shifts.
Officers began to investigate the allegations after the mother of the 13-year-old rape victim read an account of the incidents in her daughter’s diary.
The disgusted mother immediately reported the matter to police who launched an investigation.
During the course of that investigation, specially trained officers were able to establish that Horner had been separately abusing the victim’s friend during visits to the property in Guiseley.
Horner was also ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for life.
Det Con Clare White from Operation Topaz, West Yorkshire Police’s dedicated rape investigation unit, speaking after the court case praised the bravery of both of the victims.
He said: “The two victims in this case have shown admirable courage in coming forward and giving evidence against an individual who preyed on them as young and vulnerable teenagers.
“The imprisonment of Horner should act as a demonstration that police will listen to and support victims and will actively investigate and pursue anyone suspected of a historic sexual offence.
“Hopefully the sentencing of Horner will provide the victims’ in this case with a sense of justice and closure.
“And it will enable them to continue to move on with their lives.”