A DANGEROUS rapist has been sentenced to life in prison after a series of attacks against two women – and threatening to kill one of his victims.

Christopher Harwood, 34, was sentenced after being found guilty by a jury of five charges of rape against his two victims, an attempted rape and making a threat to kill.

Judge Timothy Clayson told Bolton Crown Court he was satisfied the conditions for imposing a life sentence had been met, with a psychiatric report saying Harwood showed no signs of guilt or remorse.

He said: “I have no hesitation in concluding that you are a very dangerous man indeed.

“You have a selfish and uncaring personality, the worse characteristics of which are exaggerated by your deep and enduring cocaine addiction.

“You have shown dreadful abusive behaviour towards two women, and exceptionally serious risk taking behaviour in relation to one of them."

A three-week trial in March heard how Harwood raped two women, who cannot be named, between 2006 and 2013.

The first woman was “too frightened and upset”to make a complaint after the first attack, but did so weeks later when it happened again.

In 2007, Harwood was convicted of possession a firearm, assault by battery and assault causing actual bodily harm, but charges relating to the rapes were left on file.

Prosecutors said this showed the influence Harwood had over his victim. She came forward to police again when she heard of complaints being made by a second woman in 2013.

In one attack against the second woman, Harwood created a makeshift gallows using wood from his shed then put his victim’s head in a noose.

He then placed her on a small cupboard before kicking it away, and allowing the noose to tighten before picking her up again.

Harwood said he did this to show what was like to have suicidal thoughts, as he had in the past.

Judge Clayson added: “I have considered whether the conditions for a sentence of life imprisonment are met in your case, and without hesitation I conclude that they are.

“On any view these are offences of a very grave nature which are, taken together, of such seriousness that a life sentence is justified.

“Further, it is impossible for me to predict when, if at all, you will cease to pose a very high level of threat.”

“It is hard to imagine any more selfish act or indeed, any worse case of making a threat to kill.

“It is only good fortune that her neck was not broken, in which event you would be facing a charge of manslaughter or worse.”

The judge said Harwood pressurised both women into retracting their statements, which they both attempted to do.

Judge Clayson said Harwood, of Tintern Avenue, Tonge Moor, would not be eligible for parole for at least 12 years.