A Stockport man has been sentenced to life imprisonment after kidnapping and sexually assaulting a teenage girl.

Paul Sharpe, 56, kidnapped his victim off the street, tied her wrists and ankles, and drove her to a farm where he sexually assaulted her.

The terrifying ordeal started just after 6.30pm on 18 May 2026.

The girl had been studying at Sale Library, before setting off to walk home around 5.50pm.

She contacted her parents around 6.10pm, letting them know she was heading home, then spoke to her boyfriend 20 minutes later, saying she was five minutes away from home but that her phone was about to run out of battery.

It was not long after this that the victim reached Bradgate Road in Altrincham. It was there that Sharpe approached her from behind, put her in a headlock, and threatened to stab her if she didn't get in his car.

Fearing for her life, the victim complied, after which Sharpe drove her to a car park near Manchester Airport, where he tied her wrists and ankles,

He claimed to the girl that her family owed him money.

Concerned that their daughter had not returned home, the victim's family contacted police at 9:22pm to report her missing. Officers immediately launched enquiries to locate her.

Meanwhile, Sharpe drove the victim to a number of locations across Greater Manchester and Cheshire, forcing her to change her clothes and making threats throughout.

In her bag, the girl had an iPad with the 'Find My' feature enabled - it was this which meant her boyfriend could provide updates to officers on her location.

At 12:09am, the device showed a location on Rostherne Lane in Knutsford.

With Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and neighbouring force Cheshire Constabulary working together, officers were quickly deployed to the scene.

Enquiries with local witnesses, plus evidence from CCTV, identified Sharpe's car as having been in the area at the relevant time.

Police also kept checking both Sharpe's and the victim's phones, which were shown to be travelling in the same areas.

Sharpe later drove the victim to a farm, where he sexual assaulted her, before continuing to a further location near Cottons Hotel in Knutsford.

It was around 3.40am on 19 May that Cheshire Police officers located Sharpe's vehicle in a hotel car park.

Officers found both Sharpe and the victim inside the vehicle and immediately safeguarded the victim.

Sharpe was arrested on suspicion of kidnap and possession of a bladed article. Following further enquiries, he was additionally arrested on suspicion of voyeurism, two counts of sexual assault and kidnap with intent to commit a sexual offence.

Sharpe had also been reported missing from his home address in Stockport by his partner earlier that same day.

Following a thorough investigation, he was subsequently charged, convicted and has now been sentenced to life imprisonment.

He will serve an eight-year minimum sentence after being convicted of: kidnap; committing an offence with intent to commit a sexual offence; sexual assault; engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child; threats with a bladed article and administering a noxious substance with intent to injure, annoy or aggrieve.

Detective Inspector Karl Perry from GMP's Criminal Investigation Department, said: "This was a terrifying ordeal for a young girl who was simply making her way home. Sharpe targeted a vulnerable victim, subjected her to hours of fear and intimidation, and went on to sexually assault her.

"The victim has shown immense courage throughout the investigation and court proceedings. Through her bravery and actions, she no doubt made it harder for Sharpe to carry out whatever acts he had planned.

"The victim and her family are being fully supported by specialist officers and will continue to receive as much support as they need.

"I hope today's sentence provides her with some measure of justice and demonstrates our commitment to pursuing dangerous offenders and bringing them before the courts.

"I would also like to thank the officers, staff and members of the public whose assistance helped us quickly trace Sharpe and safely recover the victim."

Chief Constable Mark Roberts from Cheshire Constabulary said: "In policing there are no borders and this coordinated effort between GMP and Cheshire Police's Force Control Centre, response officers and Armed Response Vehicle colleagues was pivotal in detaining a dangerous offender.

"I would like to extend my thanks to the officers involved in locating the vehicle and subsequently arresting Sharpe. Their swift and decisive actions prevented further harm coming to a young girl who had already suffered such a terrible ordeal.

"This case is an important reminder of how police forces work together to safeguard our communities and protect members of the public."