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CHRISTOPHER HARDMAN HAS BEEN JAILED 16:38, 11 Feb 2025 A sexual predator raped two women and recorded the attacks on his phone. Christopher Hardman, 47, from Bury, was arrested after the
incident involving his first victim, before he was released on bail. He then raped his second victim. Hardman was branded a 'bully' by the judge who sentenced him. His first victim
contacted police to report he had attacked her and filmed it, prosecutor David Toal told Minshull Street Crown Court. The woman told police that when she challenged Hardman, he claimed he
had only switched the torch of his phone on and had not recorded anything intimate. He was arrested and released on bail as the police investigation continued, only to abuse his second
victim. She also reported that he raped her, the court heard. Hardman controlled her, Mr Toal said. When police arrested Hardman again, officers seized his phone and found 'numerous
videos' he had recorded of sexual activity with his second victim. William Staunton, defending, said his client had been left 'disturbed' as he had been abused as a child. He
said his client had not set out to rape the women and that he was seeking 'redemption'. Judge Bernadette Baxter said of Hardman's first victim: "She said you treated her
as an object, not a person." The woman didn't want to be filmed and Hardman 'completely disregarded' her wishes and 'deliberately lied to her', the judge added.
The woman described to police shocking details of one occasion when she woke up to find Hardman raping her. "Your purpose was to humiliate that woman," Judge Baxter added. The
court also heard upsetting details of another rape which left his second victim bleeding. The woman was 'horrified' when police told her they had arrested Hardman, searched his
phone and found videos he had secretly filmed. "Your purpose was to humiliate and use that woman," Judge Baxter said, revealing that clips had shown his victim snoring and
'plainly unconscious'. The judge noted Hardman had 'told the same lie' about just turning on the torch of his phone to both women. Hardman, of no fixed address, but
formerly of Bury, was found guilty following a trial last year of four counts of rape; three counts of voyeurism; and one count of controlling and coercive behaviour against his first
victim. He was found guilty at the same trial of six counts of rape; three counts of voyeurism; and one sexual assault against his second victim. The court was told Hardman had 15 previous
convictions for 37 offences, as well a civil 'sexual risk order' which he breached when he was found to have a device he was not permitted to possess. Article continues below
"What the trial demonstrated is that you have no remorse for what you have done at all or any insight into the harm you have caused your victims," Judge Baxter said. She added:
"Bluntly, you are a bully and a sexual predator." Hardman showed no reaction when he was handed an extended sentence of 25 years and was told he must serve at least 16 years behind
bars before he can apply for parole.