Ethan Hare, a 40-year-old man from Halifax, West Yorkshire, was convicted of raping a woman after luring her into his vehicle while she was walking home intoxicated in Huddersfield.
The incident occurred on an unspecified date prior to Hare's arrest, when the victim, who had been out celebrating, fell over a metal wire on Leeds Road while making her way to Mirfield. Hare, driving a blue Ford Focus, stopped and offered her a lift, pretending to be a kind stranger. The woman, disorientated, distressed, alone, and drunk, accepted the offer. As they drove off, Hare asked for her name and age, and the victim noticed his trousers were already open, indicating his predatory intent.
Inside the car, Hare raped the woman twice. The victim, gripped by fear, did not resist and 'let it happen'. Following the assaults, Hare dropped her off at a petrol station in Cooper Bridge, casually remarking that he 'needed to get back to his wife and kids'. The woman, showing remarkable bravery, flagged down a passing taxi. The driver assisted her and promptly called the police.
Hare was arrested within 24 hours of the crime by West Yorkshire Police. During questioning, he falsely claimed the encounter was consensual, alleging the woman had approached him and initiated contact. However, at a trial held at Leeds Crown Court in October of the previous year, a jury rejected his defence and found him guilty on two counts of rape.
Sentencing took place on 6 February 2026 at Leeds Crown Court before Mrs Recorder Turner. The judge described Hare as a 'dangerous predator' who had targeted a vulnerable individual under the guise of kindness, trawling for sexual activity. Despite Hare's previous convictions being limited to theft and motoring offences with no prior sexual history, and character references noting his otherwise law-abiding life, family support, and hard-working background in a scrap business, the court imposed a severe penalty. Hare received an extended sentence of 15 years, comprising 10 years in custody and a 5-year extended licence period. He must serve up to two-thirds of the custodial term before eligibility for Parole Board review.
The victim's impact statement, read in court by prosecutor Benjamin Bell, highlighted the profound effects of the attack: severe worsening of her anxiety, avoidance of Huddersfield, strained relationships, loss of enjoyment in physical affection and socialising, and inability to work full shifts. Mitigating barrister Mohammed Rafiq acknowledged the traumatic ordeal for the victim while emphasising the isolated nature of the incident in Hare's life, though the jury's verdict stood firm.
Detective Constable Charlotte Pugh of the Kirklees District Adult Safeguarding Unit praised the victim's courage in reporting the offence, which enabled swift action against Hare. She described him as a 'dangerous sexual predator' who exploited vulnerability, and commended the rapid investigation that kept him off the streets.