CHRISTOPHER HARDIE'S SHOCKING VOYEURISM AT NORTHWOOD AND STAFFORD COUNCIL DEPOT

In October 2012, a disturbing case of voyeurism emerged involving Christopher Hardie, a man whose actions have left a lasting impact on his victims and the community. Hardie, who was employed at the Stoke-on-Trent City Council depot located on Cromer Road in Northwood, engaged in invasive surveillance activities by secretly installing a camera designed to peer up women’s skirts. This covert operation lasted for approximately five months, during which he meticulously set up recording equipment within the premises of the council's depot.

Hardie’s illicit activities came to light when a female colleague discovered the hidden camera, leading to his immediate arrest by law enforcement authorities. The council responded swiftly by terminating his employment on the grounds of gross misconduct. The repercussions for Hardie extended beyond his dismissal; he faced criminal charges and was subsequently sentenced to 16 months in prison after pleading guilty to eight counts of voyeurism. These charges also included the installation of cameras at a private residence between 2008 and 2012, revealing a pattern of invasive behavior spanning several years.

As part of his sentencing, Hardie, aged 51, was ordered to register as a sex offender for a decade, a measure intended to monitor and restrict his activities post-release. The court proceedings also uncovered that Hardie, who was previously a driving instructor, narrowly avoided imprisonment in 2004 when he was found to have downloaded child pornography, indicating a troubling history of sexual misconduct.

During the trial at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court, it was highlighted that Hardie’s actions had a profound and distressing effect on his colleagues and the wider community. One victim’s statement poignantly expressed the lasting trauma caused by his voyeurism, stating, “This will be with me for life. Words can’t explain the embarrassment and the mental anguish. I now only feel safe in my own home.”

The Cromer Road depot, which employs around 400 staff members across various departments such as environmental services, street cleaning, waste management, recycling, and vehicle fleet operations, was significantly impacted by Hardie’s misconduct. Evidence presented in court revealed that after being caught, Hardie disposed of the camera by throwing it into a canal. Additional equipment, including memory cards, USB sticks, and three camcorders, was recovered from skips at the site and from his residence in Lichfield Road, Stafford. It was also disclosed that Hardie had been expelled from his family home, indicating personal turmoil.

Defense lawyer Hamish Noble argued that the images were for personal use and not intended for financial gain, and highlighted Hardie’s previous struggles, including attempts at self-harm through overdose and inhaling car exhaust fumes. Despite these mitigating factors, Judge Granville Styler emphasized the severity of the offenses, stating, “I understand the devastating effect this has had on you. You have lost your job and family. But these are serious matters which give the public and victims great discomfort. It was a series of offences which took considerable planning. I take the view this is an escalation of your offending. You have an obsession that gives you sexual gratification.”

Stoke-on-Trent City Council declined to comment publicly on the case, but the court’s verdict underscores the gravity of Hardie’s actions and their impact on the community and individuals involved.