LUKE HARDY FROM CHESTER-LE-STREET CAUGHT ON DATING SITE DESPITE COURT BAN

In a serious breach of court orders, Luke Hardy, a known sex offender from Chester-Le-Street, was apprehended using the popular dating platform Plenty of Fish under the alias 'BoroLad12'.

Hardy, who was convicted of raping a minor at the age of 17, has a troubling criminal history that includes previous convictions for assault by penetration. Despite being spared immediate imprisonment for his initial sex attack, he was subjected to a three-year community penalty, which included supervision and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. Additionally, Hardy was required to register as a sex offender for a period of five years.

However, Hardy’s compliance with these legal restrictions has been called into question. The recent incident occurred after police tracked him down on the dating site, where he was using a pseudonym, despite a court order explicitly banning him from using any aliases or online platforms that could facilitate contact with potential victims.

During the court hearing at Teeside Magistrates' Court, Hardy attempted to justify his actions by citing mental health issues. His defense claimed that his mental health was a mitigating factor in his previous offenses. Nevertheless, District Judge Kristina Harrison was quick to dismiss these claims, stating, “There is nothing wrong with his mental health – it doesn’t stop him going on Plenty of Fish.”

Judge Harrison was unequivocal in her condemnation of Hardy’s blatant disregard for court orders. She emphasized that Hardy, regardless of his mental health status, is a registered sex offender and must adhere to the restrictions imposed upon him. “You are a sex offender whether you like it or not,” she declared. “If you don’t comply with the rules, you will go to prison for a very long time.”

It was also revealed during the hearing that Hardy had relocated from Teesside to Chester-le-Street following his initial conviction. Hardy, who resides on Great North Road, admitted to breaching both the requirements of his sex offender registration and supervision conditions. Despite the seriousness of these breaches, the court sentenced him to an 18-week jail term, but this was suspended for 18 months, providing Hardy with a chance to avoid immediate imprisonment.

Furthermore, a 12-week curfew was imposed, with Judge Harrison warning Hardy that any further violations would result in harsher penalties. “If you come back and you have done it again, I will literally throw the book at you,” she stated.

As Hardy left the courtroom, he attempted to shield his face with his phone but maintained that his online activity was innocent, claiming, “I was only talking to adults.” His actions and the court’s response highlight the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in monitoring and enforcing restrictions on convicted sex offenders, especially in the digital age.