A GMP detective convicted of 20 offences including rape and child sexual offences has been jailed for 26 years.
Detective Constable Stephen Hardy aged 46 had been posted within GMP’s Stockport district and had been on remand following his conviction in July.
He was found guilty of committing several serious sexual offences whilst off duty at Liverpool Crown Court following a brave victim disclosure and meticulous investigation by DS Abigail Thomas and Tameside CID.
The 26 years includes an additional six years on extended licence. As Hardy has been classed as a dangerous offender, he will not be automatically released after two-thirds of his sentence. He has also been issued with a restraining order and will be on the sex offender’s register for life.
Detective Sergeant Abigail Thomas of the Major Incident Team, who led the investigation into Hardy has said: “Stephen Hardy has been exposed as a manipulative individual who committed abhorrent offences over a significant period of time. His behaviour and actions go against everything we stand for within policing.
“Tackling violence against women and girls is one of the Force’s top priorities, and anyone found within the organisation to be abusing their position to harm others can expect to face the consequences.
Now criminal proceedings have concluded, gross misconduct proceedings will take place.
