ADAM HARDY OF LANCASTER SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULTS ON TEENAGE BOY

In November 2016, a disturbing case unfolded at Preston Crown Court involving Adam Hardy, a 32-year-old man from Gregory’s Court in Lancaster, who was convicted of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old boy after engaging in a pattern of grooming and abuse.

According to court proceedings, Hardy had been providing the teenage victim with cannabis and vodka, which led to concerns among the boy’s friends that he was being groomed. The teenager confided that Hardy, a team leader at a catering company, was offering him free drugs and alcohol, which appeared to be a manipulative tactic to gain his trust.

The court heard that the initial incident took place at Hardy’s family home, where the boy was sitting on a bed in Hardy’s room. Prosecutor Francis McEntee described how Hardy, without warning, suddenly dived onto the boy, placing his hands down the boy’s pants and grabbing him inappropriately. Hardy later issued an apology for his actions.

Several weeks later, the abuse continued at another man’s residence. Hardy again inappropriately touched the boy by putting his hands down the boy’s tracksuit trousers and groping him. The victim, feeling threatened, warned Hardy that he would “break his nose” if he continued.

The final assault occurred in Hardy’s kitchen, where the boy, having had enough, fought back physically. During this confrontation, Hardy sustained two black eyes, indicating a violent struggle. Following these incidents, the boy’s friends advised him to confide in his mother, which he did. The matter was subsequently reported to the police.

Hardy’s defense lawyer, Chris Hudson, attempted to portray Hardy as a non-aggressive individual, emphasizing that Hardy is gay and describing him as a “pleasant man.” Hudson also acknowledged Hardy’s issues with substance abuse, including alcohol, cannabis, and cocaine, which he referred to as Hardy’s “three Achilles heels.”

Judge Sara Dodd sentenced Hardy to 15 months in prison, suspended for two years. She also ordered him to attend a sex offender’s rehabilitation program and placed him on the sex offender register for ten years. In her remarks, the judge emphasized the severity of Hardy’s actions, stating, “He was 15 when you first abused him – that is what it was. You, after consuming drugs and drink, touched him. On the final occasion, he gave you what is colloquially known as a good hiding.”