KENNETH HARDY FROM BROOKE AND NORWICH JAILED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF YOUNG GIRLS
| Red Rose Database
Norwich Brooke Sexual Abuser
In June 2011, a disturbing case unfolded in Norwich involving Kenneth Hardy, a 63-year-old man who was convicted of sexually abusing four young girls under his care as a childminder. Hardy, who had been registered as a childminder since 2003 and was deeply involved in various child and youth organizations throughout his life, exploited his trusted position to commit these heinous acts. As a result of his crimes, he was sentenced to three years and three months in prison and was ordered to be placed on the sex offender’s register for life.
Hardy’s residence on Coniston Road in Brooke was central to the investigation. The Norwich Crown Court heard that Hardy, whose wife was also a childminder, engaged in sexual misconduct with four victims in his care in the Heartsease area of Norwich. The victims included a girl aged about four, two girls aged six, and another girl who was seven at the time of the assaults. The court was informed that Hardy’s abuse occurred during his duties as a childminder, with the young girls trusting him implicitly.
One of the victims, approximately seven years old at the time, recounted that Hardy indecently touched her while checking her for chickenpox. Another girl testified that Hardy touched her while she was sitting on his lap, further illustrating the breach of trust and the severity of the misconduct. The allegations surfaced after one of the girls confided in her mother about what had happened, prompting police involvement and a subsequent investigation.
Hardy, who had denied any sexual touching of the girls, faced trial and was convicted on eight counts related to the abuse. The court proceedings revealed the extent of his misconduct, which shocked the community and highlighted the dangers of abuse by trusted caregivers. Hardy appeared in court for sentencing, where Judge Alasdair Darroch condemned his actions, emphasizing that Hardy had exploited his role as a childminder to commit these crimes. The judge pointed out that Hardy’s position of trust had been severely compromised and that his actions had caused lasting harm to the victims.
During the trial, Hardy’s defense attorney, Nicholas Cotter, argued that Hardy had lost everything as a consequence of his actions. Cotter stated, “He has lost everything in his life because of these offences. He has lost his social standing in his church, his reputation. He has lost everything.” The defense also highlighted Hardy’s previous good character, noting his involvement with the Red Cross and the Christian Motorcycle Organisation, and emphasizing that Hardy was of positive standing before these allegations.
However, Cotter acknowledged that Hardy’s ability to work with children again was effectively over, given the measures in place to prevent him from reoffending. He pointed out that Hardy, who was of low risk of re-offending due to his age, would face significant time in custody, which would prevent him from engaging in any further work with children.
It was also revealed that Hardy’s decision to become a childminder was influenced by his wife, who had been working in the same role for many years. Notably, Hardy was not present during the incidents, but his involvement in the abuse was established through the evidence presented at trial.
In addition to his work as a childminder, Hardy had previously been associated with organizations such as the Red Cross and the Christian Motorcycle Organisation, which further underscored his previously positive reputation. Despite this, the court’s focus remained on the gravity of his crimes and the betrayal of trust involved.
Following the conviction, Norfolk police’s child abuse investigation unit praised the bravery of the young victims who had the courage to testify against Hardy. Detective Constable James Blake emphasized the severity of Hardy’s betrayal, stating, “Kenneth Hardy took advantage of very young children and abused their trust and the trust of their parents. Instead of caring for them, he was committing sexual offences against them.” The case served as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and safeguarding vulnerable children from those who might exploit their trust.
Hardy’s residence on Coniston Road in Brooke was central to the investigation. The Norwich Crown Court heard that Hardy, whose wife was also a childminder, engaged in sexual misconduct with four victims in his care in the Heartsease area of Norwich. The victims included a girl aged about four, two girls aged six, and another girl who was seven at the time of the assaults. The court was informed that Hardy’s abuse occurred during his duties as a childminder, with the young girls trusting him implicitly.
One of the victims, approximately seven years old at the time, recounted that Hardy indecently touched her while checking her for chickenpox. Another girl testified that Hardy touched her while she was sitting on his lap, further illustrating the breach of trust and the severity of the misconduct. The allegations surfaced after one of the girls confided in her mother about what had happened, prompting police involvement and a subsequent investigation.
Hardy, who had denied any sexual touching of the girls, faced trial and was convicted on eight counts related to the abuse. The court proceedings revealed the extent of his misconduct, which shocked the community and highlighted the dangers of abuse by trusted caregivers. Hardy appeared in court for sentencing, where Judge Alasdair Darroch condemned his actions, emphasizing that Hardy had exploited his role as a childminder to commit these crimes. The judge pointed out that Hardy’s position of trust had been severely compromised and that his actions had caused lasting harm to the victims.
During the trial, Hardy’s defense attorney, Nicholas Cotter, argued that Hardy had lost everything as a consequence of his actions. Cotter stated, “He has lost everything in his life because of these offences. He has lost his social standing in his church, his reputation. He has lost everything.” The defense also highlighted Hardy’s previous good character, noting his involvement with the Red Cross and the Christian Motorcycle Organisation, and emphasizing that Hardy was of positive standing before these allegations.
However, Cotter acknowledged that Hardy’s ability to work with children again was effectively over, given the measures in place to prevent him from reoffending. He pointed out that Hardy, who was of low risk of re-offending due to his age, would face significant time in custody, which would prevent him from engaging in any further work with children.
It was also revealed that Hardy’s decision to become a childminder was influenced by his wife, who had been working in the same role for many years. Notably, Hardy was not present during the incidents, but his involvement in the abuse was established through the evidence presented at trial.
In addition to his work as a childminder, Hardy had previously been associated with organizations such as the Red Cross and the Christian Motorcycle Organisation, which further underscored his previously positive reputation. Despite this, the court’s focus remained on the gravity of his crimes and the betrayal of trust involved.
Following the conviction, Norfolk police’s child abuse investigation unit praised the bravery of the young victims who had the courage to testify against Hardy. Detective Constable James Blake emphasized the severity of Hardy’s betrayal, stating, “Kenneth Hardy took advantage of very young children and abused their trust and the trust of their parents. Instead of caring for them, he was committing sexual offences against them.” The case served as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and safeguarding vulnerable children from those who might exploit their trust.