The victim of a Kilmarnock sex predator has said the jail term handed down to the air cadet officer that abused him was not long enough.
Ronald Hardman was sentenced to nine years at the High Court in Glasgow last week after admitting abusing 12 boys.
The 74-year-old preyed on the youngsters over a 35-year period at the air training corps (ATC) squadron in the town.
Hardman was originally locked up for five years at the town’s sheriff court last November after being convicted of attacks on three teenagers.
But a huge investigation – resulting in 300 former cadets speaking to police – led to fresh allegations.
More victims then bravely came forward to reveal how they also suffered at the hands of Hardman.
Victim Iain Stalker bravely waived his right to anonymity after Hardman pleaded guilty to a total of 15 charges consisting of lewd and libidinous conduct as well as indecent assault last month.
The 59-year-old, who was only 13 when the attacks started, said he felt sick when he saw his abuser in the dock.
“I’ll be honest,” the Irvine nurse told the Kilmarnock Standard. “I felt quite sick looking at the man, thinking of the things he had done and the lives he had ruined.
“I was really unhappy with the sentence he got. Nine years to run concurrently with his current sentence; so that means he’s only got four years.
“He’ll probably only do around six years, that’s what I’ve been told so he’ll be around 80 when he comes out.
“I don’t think it’s a fair enough sentence for what he’s done and the number of lives he’s ruined. It’s as simple as that. But that’s the law.”
For Iain, the abuse lasted for four years and left him so traumatised that it impacted on his development as a child and led to his marriage ending in divorce.
Iain eventually opened up about his abuse when he couldn’t help treat a child sex offender who was having cancer removed from his bowel.
Lord Beckett branded Hardman’s crimes “pre-meditated” and “grossly corrupting”.
The judge added: “It is apparent that you deceived, manipulated, groomed and coerced the boys.”
He also told Hardman that such conduct “besmirched” the reputation of organisations like the air training corps.
“For me there’s an element of closure,” Iain added. “However it’s still there and it always will be there.
“But knowing that man is locked up and can’t perpetrate these crimes again is a good sign.
“All I would say to any youngster if they’re getting abused like that – open up straight away and don’t keep it quiet because it really did affect me and it still does.
“It’s one door closed and another one open for me now. That’s the way I’m thinking now. No more letters from the procurator fiscal. That’s the end of the chapter as far as I’m concerned.
“There was a big sense of relief when he was cuffed and taken downstairs.
“He was sat with his back to us and we were behind a glass screen and there was nothing [no expression] when he was led away.”
Sentencing, Lord Beckett said what Hardman done had “blighted” the lives of his victims.
