A pensioner who has a history of sexual offenses dating back to 50 years was spared jail after he tried to meet up with an adult pretending to be a 14-year old girl. He is vulnerable to Covid-19.
Cyril Hardy, 80 was found guilty of rape by Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court.
Hardy pleaded guilty for engaging in sexual communication with a child, and attempting meet a girl younger than 16 years old to groom.
Cyril Hardy, 80, from Rochdale, has been given an 18 month suspended sentence after he pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and attempting to meet a girl under 16 years old for grooming
Hardy has been convicted of sex crimes dating back to 50 years. Parents Standing Together For Our Kids filmed Hardy after he arranged to meet a 14-year old girl outside Manchester Victoria Station.
The court heard that Stacey McDonald (29), a member paedophile hunter organization Parents Standing Together For Our Kids set up a decoy as Atara Louise, a 14-year-old girl on MeetMe or WhatsApp.
Alexandra Sutton was the prosecutor. She stated that Hardy told ‘Atara,’ between October 21, 2017 and November 20, 2017, that he wanted her living with him, marrying him, and having his children.
Ms. Sutton stated that she had heard from her mother that her mother was leaving for a week.
“He asked her to meet him at the city center for shopping and said that he would take her to shop for new clothes.
“He asked her whether she wanted a wedding ring made of silver or yellow gold.”
Hardy will be serving a suspended sentence in addition to the Sex Offenders Register. Hardy was one of the oldest men in Britain to have been ensnared and abused by a paedophile hunting group.
Hardy faked innocence when confronted by the paedophile hunters group in November 2017. He claimed that he believed 14-year-old ‘Atara was older, despite repeatedly asking her about school during their online chats
The court heard that Hardy had arranged to meet ‘Atara” at Manchester Victoria station on November 18, 2017, and sent her a photo of his car registration number.
Once he got there, he was confronted and filmed by Parents Standing Together For Our Kids. He was then taken into custody by police.
His vehicle contained a bottle of perfume, an iPhone and an iTunes gift certificate.
Ms. Sutton, who has 16 convictions and 20 offences, said that Hardy thought ‘Atara was older than she was.
Hardy, who hails from Rochdale in Greater Manchester, said the talk about marriages and children was ‘just for a laugh’
Daniel Gaskrell (mitigating) described Hardy – who originally plead not guilty but later changed his mind – as a ‘lonely old man who was looking for comfort from strangers, and had been in and off of marriages.
Judge Paul Lawton was critical of the two-year delay and said that he would have no reservations about sending Hardy prison, despite his age.
Judge Lawton stated that Hardy was now vulnerable to Covid due to his ischemic heart disease, diabetes, and the lengthy time it took for the case to be concluded.
Judge Lawton stated, “You are a ticking clock in custody as far As Covid is concerned.”
Hardy, described as a man living in a fantasy universe, had a Badoo dating profile.
He said, “You met ‘Atara” on different apps. She was a decoy created by adults.
“She made it very clear that she was only fourteen years old, and this did no deter you from doing your best.
“You told her she should bear you with children, and you signed off with multiple kisses at various times.
“Atara” received gifts from you in your car.
“This implies a man who lives in a fantasy world and thinks a 14-year old girl would find him attractive.
“This is all the more concerning considering your previous convictions for sexual assault and rape, for which you spent seven years in prison. Although I believe your intentions were sexual, it is not clear if it would be a penetrable form of sexual activity.
The judge stated that the length of time the case was’sat on since 2017 was ‘unexplained’ and unacceptable.
Judge Lawton stated: “You are incredibly vulnerable against Covid and that draws my attention away from giving your a custodial term. You will be sent back to prison if you continue to offend.
Hardy, who used two walking sticks to appear in court, was sentenced for 18 months in prison with a two-year suspension and 30 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement Days.
He was required to sign the sex offender registry for ten years, and was issued a ten year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.