STEPHEN HARDY FROM MOTTRAM GUILTY OF HORRIFIC SEXUAL ABUSE IN GREATER MANCHESTER

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Mottram and the wider Greater Manchester area, Detective Constable Stephen Hardy has been convicted of a series of heinous sexual offences, including multiple counts of rape and child sexual abuse. The conviction follows a detailed four-week trial at Liverpool Crown Court, where the jury found Hardy guilty of 20 separate charges, some of which involved the most serious forms of sexual violence against a minor.

Hardy, aged 46 and residing on Hyde Road in Mottram, Tameside, was accused of subjecting a young girl to a prolonged period of abuse that began when she was just 12 years old. The offences spanned over eight years, from December 2012 until June 2020, during which Hardy exploited his position of authority and trust as a police officer to manipulate and control his victim. The court heard that Hardy’s actions included degrading sexual acts, including rape, as well as causing the girl to watch sexual activities and engaging in assault by penetration.

The prosecution, led by Vanessa Thomson, detailed how Hardy groomed his victim, gaining her trust and creating a climate of fear and confusion. The victim, who sat in court with her family members, described the abuse as having a lasting impact on her mental health. She expressed her fears about the future and revealed that the trauma had left her with a deep-seated fear of authority figures, despite her courage in reporting the crimes to the police in 2020.

During the trial, the court was told that Hardy had described the girl’s virginity as 'special,' a comment that underscored his manipulative approach. When Hardy discovered that the girl had lost her virginity to her boyfriend, he began engaging in sexual activities with her without her consent, including acts involving urination, which added to the severity of his misconduct. The jury took just three hours and nineteen minutes to reach a unanimous verdict of guilt on all 20 charges, reflecting the strength of the evidence presented.

Judge Robert Trevor-Jones sentenced Hardy to a lengthy prison term of 26 years, emphasizing the gravity of his crimes. The judge described Hardy as a 'devious' individual with a 'sinister streak,' noting that Hardy had previously been regarded as a person of good character and a long-serving police officer. The judge also declared Hardy a dangerous offender, imposing an extended six-year license period upon his release, and highlighted that Hardy’s actions had caused significant and lasting trauma to his victim.

In his remarks, Judge Trevor-Jones condemned Hardy’s lack of remorse, stating, 'You have never shown one iota of remorse for your behaviour.' He further characterized Hardy’s conduct as highly calculated and cynical, involving grooming behavior designed to manipulate and control his victim. The judge pointed out that Hardy’s awareness of the widespread and enduring suffering caused by sexual abuse made his actions even more reprehensible.

Following the conviction, Hardy was remanded in custody and is scheduled to be sentenced on September 11. He will also be required to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register on an interim basis. The case has left a lasting scar on the community of Mottram and serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and accountability within law enforcement agencies.