Man raped teenage girl months after arrest

Richard Barker was described by the judge as a dangerous offender who posed a significant risk of serious harm

A man who raped a teenage girl just months after he had been arrested and released on bail for grooming another youngster online has been jailed for 17 years.

Richard Barker, 56, of Keighley Road in Oakworth, Keighley, was arrested by police in January 2019 after he had engaged in sexualised messaging with a young girl.

However, Barker, who had no previous convictions, was released on bail and a few months later he contacted a second victim via her Xbox, telling her he was only 18, Bradford Crown Court heard on Monday.

In November 2019, Barker drove over the Pennines to pick her up in his car. The court heard that during the offending he would rape the girl in his car before taking her home.

He had groomed his second victim by asking her to send him videos and subjecting her to "gaslighting" behaviour until they arranged to meet up, the court was told.

In her impact statement she described how Barker made her feel like her own parents were "the enemy".

She said she had suffered nightmares and flashbacks as a result of the offending and still blamed herself.

But Judge Kirstie Watson emphasised that the girl was not to blame.

'She has suffered'

"It's clear that she feels guilt, shame and responsibility for what happened, but of course she is not responsible," said the judge.

"It's you Richard Barker who is responsible for the pain and suffering she has suffered and will continue to suffer."

Judge Watson said the rape victim had thought she was in love with Barker, but she was only a child and he had manipulated her into that position.

"What you did will undoubtedly live with her forever," the judge added.

Barker was sentenced for various sexual offences, including rape, assault by penetration, causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and making indecent images of children.

Judge Watson said he was dangerous offender who posed a significant risk of serious harm and she imposed an extended licence period of four years on top of his jail term.

Barker will have to serve at least two-thirds of the sentence before the Parole Board decide if it is safe to release him.

He must also comply with an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and register as a sex offender with with the police for the rest of his life.

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