A SERIAL rapist who attacked a 15-year-old girl in her own home has been given a thirteenth life sentence.

Andrew Barlow, also known is Andrew Longmire, became the country's most wanted man after a string of sickening sex attacks across Greater Manchester in the 1980s.

The 61-year-old, who has been in prison since 1988, was already serving 12 life terms for rapes across Greater Manchester and was today given a 13th, after pleading guilty to raping the teenager at her terraced house in Great Lever in January, 1982.

Bolton Crown Court heard that Barlow, who appeared via videolink from HMP Wymott, in Leyland, went into the girl's home at around 8.45am, when she was alone in her bedroom.

David Temkin, prosecuting, said that Barlow had threatened the 'petrified' girl with a knife and pulled off her clothes before raping her.

Barlow was linked to the case after cold case detectives re-opened it in 2009.

Advances in DNA technology that meant they were now able to identify him as the attacker and he was arrested at HMP Wymott in June this year.

At the time of his offending Barlow was dubbed by the media as the 'Coronation Street Rapist' because many of his attacks took place in terrace houses.

Martin Bottomley, head of Greater Manchester Police's Cold Case Unit, said: "This is a great result for the victim, bringing her comfort, and to further safeguard the public from this man, who in my view still poses a threat."

Zahra Baqri, defending, told the court that Barlow 'has suffered from a psychopathic disorder' and had made 'positive changes' while in prison.

He was re-categorised from being a category A prisoner to category B in 2013, and then moved to Wymott in 2015 when he became a category C prisoner.

She added: "The majority of the offences were all similar in nature and he instructs me that, as such, he did not specifically remember this particular incident.

"I accept that such a comment is a highly disturbing one to make — but that is his explanation.

"He is acutely aware of the additional stress that this case, resurrecting itself after so many years, will cause the victim, a lady, who is doubtless asking why did he not confess all those years ago."

Honorary Recorder of Bolton, Judge Timothy Clayson, ordered Barlow to serve a life sentence, with a minimum of two years before he will be eligible to apply for parole.