STEPHEN HARDY AND SHOCKING SEXUAL OFFENCES IN MANCHESTER AND LIVERPOOL
A detective from Greater Manchester Police, Stephen Hardy, has been convicted of a total of 20 serious criminal charges, including multiple counts of rape and child sexual offences.The conviction was announced on Wednesday, 13 September 2023, and Hardy was subsequently sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 26 years.
Stephen Hardy, born on 8 July 1977, was assigned to the Manchester-based GMP’s Stockport district during his service.
Following his conviction in July, Hardy was held on remand, awaiting sentencing.
The charges against him stem from a series of heinous offences committed while he was off duty, with the crimes coming to light after a courageous victim came forward to disclose their experience.
The trial took place at Liverpool Crown Court, where Hardy was found guilty of multiple serious sexual offences.
The investigation that led to his conviction was thorough and meticulous, spearheaded by Detective Sergeant Abigail Thomas and officers from Tameside CID.
Their diligent work uncovered the extent of Hardy’s offending, which shocked the local community and raised concerns about the conduct of law enforcement personnel.
The court sentenced Hardy to 26 years in prison, a term that includes an additional six years on extended licence.
Due to his classification as a dangerous offender, Hardy will not be eligible for automatic release after serving two-thirds of his sentence.
This designation reflects the severity of his crimes and the threat he poses to the public.
In addition to his imprisonment, Hardy has been issued with a restraining order to prevent any contact with his victims or associated parties.
Furthermore, he will be registered on the sex offender’s register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions.
With the conclusion of the criminal proceedings, GMP has announced that disciplinary actions related to his conduct will now proceed.
These will include gross misconduct proceedings, which are standard in cases involving police officers found guilty of criminal behaviour, to determine any further internal sanctions or disciplinary measures.
