Gloucester man spared jail after 13 years of violent abuse

GLOUCESTER MAN SPARED JAIL AFTER 13 YEARS OF VIOLENT ABUSE

A woman who endured a lengthy 13-year period of violence has criticized the community sentence given to her abuser, Adrian Hardiman.

At Gloucester Crown Court, Hardiman, aged 40 and residing in Moreton, was convicted on four counts of causing actual bodily harm to the woman.

Despite the jury's verdict, he was spared jail time, receiving a 12-month jail sentence suspended for two years, along with an order to undertake the Integrated Domestic Violence Programme (IDAP), perform 250 hours of unpaid community service, and pay £1200 in prosecution costs.

The court heard during the trial that Hardiman, of Parkers Lane, assaulted the woman, punching her in the face causing hospital treatment, and throwing her against a wall.

Hardiman vehemently denied all allegations.

The judge described him as having two sides: a jovial, hardworking man and a violent bully who is reluctant to admit fault, stating, "I don't accept that you don't remember hitting this woman." The case highlighted a volatile relationship that started in 1992 and involved repeated violence over years.

The victim expressed her disappointment that the offender did not receive a harsher sentence, saying, "I wanted him to go to prison.

I don't believe he can ever change.

It is hard enough for a woman to come forward and report this kind of violence as it is."