ABULLAH HARDARI FLED FROM STOCKTON-ON-TEES AFTER GUILTY PLEA IN UK CHILD GROOMING CASE

In June 2016, a disturbing case involving child grooming and the subsequent escape of the offender from the United Kingdom drew significant attention from vigilante groups and law enforcement agencies alike. Abdullah Hardari, a 25-year-old man from Stockton-on-Tees, became the focus of a tense confrontation with the online vigilante group Dark Justice, which specializes in exposing sex predators through covert online operations.

Hardari was identified and confronted by members of Dark Justice as he was heading to meet what he believed to be a 13-year-old girl, a trap set by the group to catch potential offenders. Following this encounter, he pleaded guilty to charges of sexual grooming, acknowledging his attempts to engage in inappropriate conduct with a minor. Despite his guilty plea, Hardari failed to appear at his scheduled sentencing hearing, which was set to take place at Newcastle Crown Court on April 14.

Prior to the court date, Hardari was bailed, and it was reported that he had been in contact with authorities through his barrister, John Wilkinson. The court had been informed that Hardari had been receiving correspondence at his residence on Blacksail Close, in the Newtown area of Stockton-on-Tees, including hearing details related to his case. In response, Judge Robert Adams issued a warrant for his arrest, emphasizing the seriousness of his failure to appear.

However, despite the legal proceedings and the issuance of the arrest warrant, Northumbria Police have since admitted that they believe Hardari has likely left the UK. The police have stated that they are actively working with border control agencies to locate him, but as of now, there is no confirmed information about his whereabouts. The authorities' inability to apprehend him has sparked criticism from Dark Justice and other observers, who argue that the justice system failed to prevent his escape.

Members of Dark Justice expressed their frustration and disappointment publicly, criticizing the authorities for what they see as a significant lapse in security measures. They claimed to have provided police with information indicating that Hardari was working at a kebab shop in Stockton-on-Tees, yet he was not detained or monitored closely enough to prevent his departure from the country. One member of the group stated, “The fact he is allowed to still be at large, never mind leave the UK, shows that the British justice system is failing. He will be somewhere like Turkey or Syria by now, laughing as he knows he will never be made to pay for what he did.”

They further argued that if Hardari had not been stripped of his passport or if he was considered a flight risk, he should not have been released on bail. The group emphasized that individuals from outside the UK, regardless of their nationality or ethnicity, should be treated as potential flight risks if they are accused of serious crimes like child grooming. “If he didn’t have his passport taken off him, why not? Surely he should be classed as a flight risk. If he did then he should never have been bailed,” they said. “By letting him escape, authorities are sending a message that they do not care about justice or the safety of children.”

Dark Justice has a track record of successfully exposing and securing convictions against paedophiles through their online sting operations. Their efforts have led to several offenders being convicted in court, but the case of Abdullah Hardari highlights the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in preventing offenders from fleeing after legal proceedings have begun. The group remains committed to exposing predators and advocating for stronger measures to prevent such escapes in the future.