York man jailed for 14 years after being found guilty of raping teenager decades ago
Clive Michael Hartley jailed for serious crimes committed in the past
A man has been sentenced to 14 years in prison at York Crown Court for the rape of a teenager decades ago.
Clive Michael Hartley, 68, from Troutsdale Avenue in York, was found guilty of two counts of rape following a week-long trial which concluded on 30th March 2026.
The victim initially reported the crime to North Yorkshire Police in May 2024, recounting how she had been raped by Hartley when she was under 16.
During the trial, a personal statement from the victim was read aloud by the prosecutor, highlighting the lasting effects of the abuse.
"His refusal to admit guilt forced me to go through a trial, which added further trauma and made me relive what I experienced.
"The two years between reporting him and it coming to trial very nearly broke me entirely.
"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."
Detective Constable Ebony Wonnacott from York and Selby CID, who led the investigation, praised the victim's resolve throughout the legal process.
"This has been a long journey for the victim in order to secure her deserved justice," Wonnacott said.
"I commend the victim's courage in sharing what happened and her resilience in seeing out justice, despite the long and difficult process to get here.
"I hope this case shows other survivors of abuse that the police are here for you, regardless of when the abuse took place.
"It is never too late to tell us - we are here, and we will listen."