Abuse victims of a predator army air cadet leader have won £2.5m in damages from the Ministry of Defence. Ronald Hardman, who has been dubbed the Jimmy Savile of the cadet force, preyed on boys over a 35-year period at the squadron in Kilmarnock.
Convictions and sentencing
The 81-year-old was caged in 2018 after being convicted of attacks on three teenagers. However, a huge investigation – resulting in 300 former cadets speaking to police – sparked fresh allegations. He was caged again in May last year after a jury took just 15 minutes to find him guilty for molesting two further teenage boys.
He was already behind bars when he was sentenced to eight further years in jail. Following his latest conviction, victims are now receiving military compensation payments with individual settlements ranging from £150,000 to £750,000.
Lawyer's call for more victims to come forward
But lawyers - who have fought for justice for three years - fear dozens more are likely to be affected and have encouraged people to report their experience to the police. Richard Pitts, Partner at Digby Brown Solicitors and specialist in military claims, said: “The scale of Hardman’s abuse is unlike anything we’ve seen before – he is undoubtedly the Savile of the cadet force. Ever since his crimes first came to light eight years ago there’s just been a continuous prosecution and charge sheet against him – and rightly so.
“The evidence paints a clear and consistent picture of what happened in 327 – which is Hardman weaponised his trusted position to target, groom and attack.”
Details of the abuse
In total, Hardman has received three different jail terms totalling 22 years for crimes against 17 young boys. His deplorable crimes first came to light in 2018 and were carried out between 1981 and 1995. Incidents included groping the boys when fitting them out for their cadet outfits, molesting a youth on a bus during a trip to Alton Towers, getting boys to swim named, getting them to play strip poker and making them look at pornographic magazines.
Mr Pitts added: “The passage of time should never prevent abusers from being brought to justice but the reality is that Hardman is now in his 80s so I’d encourage those who are yet to step forward to do so now while he can still be questioned and civil actions can be pursued.
“So far, we have recovered just short of £2.5m for seven victims and these settlements go towards helping support them in an adult life which Hardman’s crimes stole from them. That’s why it is right for the MoD to compensate victims – the abuse was carried out by their man, on their watch, and we will continue to support all people affected by these disgusting crimes.”
