FRANK HARDMAN SENTENCED IN HAMILTON FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF TEENAGE GIRLS
| Red Rose Database
Hamilton Sexual Abuser
In a case that has shocked the community of Hamilton, Frank Hardman, a 64-year-old man residing on Clydesdale Avenue, has been sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of sexually abusing two teenage girls over a period of several years.
Hardman’s crimes came to light during a court hearing at Hamilton Sheriff Court, where the details of his offenses were laid bare. The court heard that one of the victims was subjected to abuse over an extensive seven-year period, beginning when she was just 14 years old. The other victim, who was only 13 at the time, was targeted during a shared moment in a swimming pool cubicle, an incident that marked the beginning of her own ordeal.
Despite Hardman’s vehement denial of the allegations, claiming he did not abuse the girls between 2010 and the present, a jury found him guilty of the charges. The court was told that one of the victims recounted that the abuse occurred “20 times or more,” highlighting the repeated nature of the offenses. She expressed her shock and disgust upon learning that Hardman believed she had wanted the abuse to happen, a statement that underscored the betrayal of trust involved.
The second girl, who endured her abuse over approximately 11 months, described feeling “bewildered by the whole thing.” She revealed to the court that she had been abused by Hardman around a dozen times, a revelation that added to the gravity of the case. Her testimony painted a picture of a young girl overwhelmed and confused by the repeated violations.
Hardman’s legal representative pointed out that he has no prior criminal convictions and that social workers have assessed him as having a low risk of reoffending. However, the presiding sheriff, Daniel Kelly, emphasized the seriousness of the crimes and the breach of trust involved. In his sentencing remarks, Sheriff Kelly stated, “Your previous good character enabled you to commit these offences. You were in a position of trust which you breached. You have not served a custodial sentence before, but there is no other appropriate penalty for offences of this nature.”
As part of his sentence, Hardman was also ordered to register as a sex offender for an indefinite period, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions. The victims’ relatives, who had attended the court hearing, expressed their mixed feelings. One family member commented outside the court, “It’s been a terrible time. We had hoped for a longer sentence, but we are pleased that he will at least be on the sex offenders’ register for a long period.” The case has left a lasting impact on the Hamilton community, highlighting the importance of vigilance and justice in protecting vulnerable individuals from abuse.
Hardman’s crimes came to light during a court hearing at Hamilton Sheriff Court, where the details of his offenses were laid bare. The court heard that one of the victims was subjected to abuse over an extensive seven-year period, beginning when she was just 14 years old. The other victim, who was only 13 at the time, was targeted during a shared moment in a swimming pool cubicle, an incident that marked the beginning of her own ordeal.
Despite Hardman’s vehement denial of the allegations, claiming he did not abuse the girls between 2010 and the present, a jury found him guilty of the charges. The court was told that one of the victims recounted that the abuse occurred “20 times or more,” highlighting the repeated nature of the offenses. She expressed her shock and disgust upon learning that Hardman believed she had wanted the abuse to happen, a statement that underscored the betrayal of trust involved.
The second girl, who endured her abuse over approximately 11 months, described feeling “bewildered by the whole thing.” She revealed to the court that she had been abused by Hardman around a dozen times, a revelation that added to the gravity of the case. Her testimony painted a picture of a young girl overwhelmed and confused by the repeated violations.
Hardman’s legal representative pointed out that he has no prior criminal convictions and that social workers have assessed him as having a low risk of reoffending. However, the presiding sheriff, Daniel Kelly, emphasized the seriousness of the crimes and the breach of trust involved. In his sentencing remarks, Sheriff Kelly stated, “Your previous good character enabled you to commit these offences. You were in a position of trust which you breached. You have not served a custodial sentence before, but there is no other appropriate penalty for offences of this nature.”
As part of his sentence, Hardman was also ordered to register as a sex offender for an indefinite period, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions. The victims’ relatives, who had attended the court hearing, expressed their mixed feelings. One family member commented outside the court, “It’s been a terrible time. We had hoped for a longer sentence, but we are pleased that he will at least be on the sex offenders’ register for a long period.” The case has left a lasting impact on the Hamilton community, highlighting the importance of vigilance and justice in protecting vulnerable individuals from abuse.