REDDISH WOMAN LAURA BARDSLEY SENTENCED FOR GROOMING AND SEXUAL ABUSE OF 15-YEAR-OLD BOY IN MANCHESTER

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Reddish, Greater Manchester, a 26-year-old woman named Laura Bardsley has been convicted and sentenced for her involvement in a series of sexual offenses against a teenage boy. The case, which unfolded over several months in 2020 and 2021, revealed a pattern of manipulation, grooming, and illegal sexual activity that has left many residents and authorities deeply concerned.

According to court records, Bardsley, a former care worker, exploited her position and the trust of the boy’s family to carry out her illicit activities. The victim, a 15-year-old schoolboy, was lured into a series of sexual encounters with Bardsley, which she admitted to engaging in at least 15 times. These encounters took place between June and September of the previous year, during a period when the boy’s parents, seeking support for their own personal struggles, had befriended Bardsley and offered her assistance.

The relationship began subtly, with Bardsley initiating contact through Facebook messages that initially seemed innocent. However, as their communication progressed, she began to probe the boy about his sexual preferences and shared explicit details of her own relationship. She also invited him to her home in Reddish, where she showed him her new kittens, all while her partner was at work, further entangling him in her manipulative scheme.

The victim’s mother observed concerning changes in her son’s behavior. He started spending all his free time at Bardsley’s residence and appeared to lose interest in his hobbies. These signs prompted her to become more vigilant, and her suspicions grew when she discovered her son had been inventing stories to justify his time spent with Bardsley. The situation escalated when she found him at a pub with her, which confirmed her fears.

During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Bardsley had expressed her affection for the boy through love letters, even while on holiday. She had also researched topics such as “unprotected sex” and “morning after pill,” indicating her intent and awareness of the illegal nature of her actions. On one occasion, she took the boy to a hotel, and on another, they were seen kissing by a neighbor at her home.

The court heard that the boy’s parents, initially unaware of the full extent of the relationship, grew increasingly concerned as he fabricated stories to cover his meetings with Bardsley. Their worries culminated when they found the love letters while tidying his bedroom in September. Despite their suspicions, Bardsley continued to contact the boy, urging him to delete evidence of their relationship and even to change his social media profile to hide her involvement.

Her persistent efforts to maintain contact included sending messages demanding he stick to his story, delete all texts, and alter his online presence. She also continued to meet him secretly in the days following her arrest on September 11. Bardsley initially denied having sexual relations with the boy during police interviews, and the boy himself was reluctant to provide a statement. His school attendance declined sharply, and his behavior became increasingly aggressive and hostile towards his mother.

Despite being bailed with strict conditions not to contact the boy, Bardsley defied the order by messaging him on social media, expressing her love and jealousy over his interactions with other girls. Her actions prompted a second arrest after the boy was reported absent from school and police officers observed her with him. She had created multiple new social media accounts and used different phone numbers to maintain contact with both the boy and his new girlfriend.

On February 15, Bardsley was finally detained, and the following day, authorities found her phone in her cell. She chose not to comment during police interviews. In her own statement to the court, she expressed remorse, saying, “I am disgusted and hate myself. It shouldn’t have happened. I destroyed their lives.”

Judge Bernadette Baxter sentenced Bardsley to six years in prison at Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester. She was also ordered to be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will be required to register as a sex offender for life. The case highlights the devastating impact of grooming and exploitation, especially when carried out by someone in a position of trust, and serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and safeguarding in the community of Reddish and beyond.