Clive Hartley jailed for 14 years for raping child

Clive Michael Hartley took advantage of an underage girl then less than half his age and twice raped her, Judge Simon Hickey told York Crown Court.

She told the judge how the rapes had affected her life ever since and as a result she had become addicted to alcohol, depressed and at times suicidal.

“He has gone on to live his life, recognised as a local businessman and not taken responsibility for what he did,” she said in a personal statement.

“I don’t think he has given any thought about it from the day when it happened.”

Louise Reevell, prosecuting, said the girl, now a woman, finally broke her silence in 2024 and told police what had happened to her when she was a child.

Earlier this year, a York jury convicted Hartley, 68, of Troutsdale Avenue, Rawcliffe, of two charges of rape. He had denied the charges.

The victim said his denial had increased her trauma because she had had to give evidence against him.

“The two years between reporting him and it coming to trial very nearly broke me entirely,” the girl now a woman said in her personal statement.

“What he did to me as a child did not end then. It has affected every part of my life for decades. I am still dealing with the consequences today.

“He not only stole my childhood but a large chunk of my life ever since.”

The judge told Hartley: “You have taken clear advantage of her.”

His crimes had affected both the victim, those close to her and those close to Hartley, said the judge. Hartley is not related to the victim.

As he jailed Hartley for 14 years and put him on the sex offenders’ register for life, a supporter of Hartley was clearly distressed in the public gallery.

The victim said ever since the rapes happened the psychological effects had affected her in ways that she found difficult to put into words and were still affecting her today. They had also affected her relationships with other people.

“With justice served, I am hoping I can finally move on and live the life I was supposed to have,” she said.

Sarah Barlow, defending, said Hartley had not offended before or during the “very long period” after the rapes and handed in character references.

The said he was of “positive good character” and had succeeded as a businessman.