UK Police Detective Jailed For 20 Offences Including Child Sexual Abuse, Rape
Detective Constable Stephen Hardy used his teenage victim as a “puppet or sex object”, a judge said during his sentencing. He will serve 26 years behind bars.
A Greater Manchester police detective convicted of 20 offences, including rape and child sexual offences, has been sentenced to 26 years behind bars.
During a trail on Wednesday (Sept. 14), the court heard how Detective Constable Stephen used his teenage victim as a “puppet or sex object” between December 2012 and June 2020. The victim, who first reported the abuse in 2020, said the abuse had permanently affected her mental health and left her scared for her future.
“I maintain a deep fear of authority figures, despite overcoming that fear to report these crimes,” she stressed. “His position in the Greater Manchester Police force has deeply affected me.”
Hardy, of Hyde Road in Mottram, Tameside, was previously convicted of multiple counts of rape; sexual assault; causing a child to engage in sexual activity and to watch sexual activity; and assault by penetration.
Following his conviction, Detective Sergeant Abigail Thomas, of GMP’s Major Incident Team, said: “Stephen Hardy has been exposed as a manipulative individual who committed abhorrent offences over a significant period of time. His behaviour and actions go against everything we stand for within policing.
“Tackling violence against women and girls is one of the Force’s top priorities, and anyone found within the organisation to be abusing their position to harm others can expect to face the consequences.”
Jo Palmiero, Senior Crown Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service’s North West’s rape and serious sexual abuse unit, said: “Stephen Hardy gained the trust of the child before subjecting them to sickening sexual abuse, with no thought for the lasting damage his abuse would cause. Hardy was a police officer, in a position of trust, who manipulated and controlled his victim.”
The 46-year-old has also been issued a restraining order and will be on the sex offender’s register for life.