KENNETH HARDACRE ROCHDALE PAEDOPHILE EXPOSED FOR ABUSING TEENAGERS IN THE 1970S
In a disturbing revelation, Kenneth Hardacre, an 85-year-old resident of Rochdale and a devout church-goer, has been identified as a convicted paedophile responsible for abusing two teenage girls during the 1970s.The shocking details emerged during a court hearing at Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court, where it was disclosed that Hardacre had admitted to engaging in inappropriate and criminal acts against minors decades ago.
According to court records, Hardacre confessed to fondling a 13-year-old girl in 1971.
The victim, now in her 50s, recounted that the incident occurred while she was on holiday, and she was subjected to unwanted physical contact, including touching her naked breast.
She expressed ongoing emotional distress, stating, “She said she is struggling 40 years later,” highlighting the lasting impact of the abuse.
Five years later, in 1976, Hardacre was involved in another disturbing incident involving a second girl.
The court heard that he visited a friend’s house, where the girl was in her bedroom.
When she opened the door, Hardacre allegedly lifted her top and touched her naked breast, reportedly telling her, “This is something I am entitled to do.” The victim has reportedly never recovered from the trauma inflicted upon her.
Throughout the proceedings, the court was informed that Hardacre had managed to evade justice for over four decades, despite the victims eventually coming forward to report him to the police.
His lawyer, Alistair Webster, attempted to downplay the severity of the crimes, describing the abuse as “far from what we would class as sexual assault nowadays,” though the court found the acts to be serious.
Hardacre pleaded guilty to two counts of indecent assault.
In sentencing, Judge Bernadette Baxter described him as “an abusive bully,” emphasizing the vulnerability of the victims, who were in their early teens at the time of the assaults.
While acknowledging that the crimes crossed the threshold for immediate custody, the judge decided to suspend the two-year sentence, citing Hardacre’s prompt guilty plea and the age of the offences.
As part of his sentence, Hardacre is required to register as a sex offender for ten years.
Additionally, he must be accompanied to church services to ensure he is never left alone with a child, reflecting ongoing concerns about public safety and the protection of minors.
The prosecution, led by Nicholas Clarke, detailed the first victim’s experience, emphasizing the lasting emotional scars.
Clarke also recounted the second incident, where Hardacre’s actions left the girl traumatized and unable to recover from the abuse.
This case underscores the importance of vigilance and justice in addressing historical abuse allegations, and it serves as a stark reminder of the long-lasting effects such crimes can have on victims.
The community of Rochdale is left to grapple with the revelations about one of its residents, whose actions have cast a shadow over his reputation and raised questions about safeguarding and accountability.
