A 35-year-old man from Boston has been remanded into custody after being found guilty by a jury at Lincoln Crown Court of 27 sexual offences, including 10 counts of rape committed against an adult woman and three young children over a five-year period.
Jake Hardstaff, of Maple Road, Boston, was convicted on Thursday 22 October 2026 following a 14-day trial that concluded an extensive safeguarding and public protection investigation led by Lincolnshire Police.
The prosecution outlined that the offending occurred between June 2019 and June 2024. Over that five-year timeframe, Hardstaff targeted four separate victims: one adult woman and three female children. The court heard that one of the child victims was only nine years old when the abuse commenced.
Evidence presented during the trial exposed a pattern of long-term physical, emotional, and sexual exploitation. Witnesses and survivors described how Hardstaff systematically coerced and incited his victims into sexual contact, subjecting them to severe physical abuse and psychological manipulation. During the proceedings, a witness described his actions as a “sadistic, sickening thing.”
Hardstaff pleaded not guilty to all allegations on the indictment, forcing the survivors to provide evidential accounts in court. Following deliberations, the jury convicted him of 27 offences:
Two counts of rape of a child under 13
Three counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity (no penetration)
Three counts of assault of a child under 13 by penetration
Eight counts of rape of a woman 16 years of age or over
Two counts of assault by penetration
Seven counts of sexual assault on a female
One count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent
One count of engaging in controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate relationship
Hardstaff was acquitted of three counts of rape and one count of controlling or coercive behaviour.
Following the verdicts, the presiding Crown Court judge remanded Hardstaff in custody to await final sentencing, which has been scheduled for 25 November 2026. The adjournment allows for the preparation of comprehensive pre-sentence reports, dangerousness assessments, and victim personal statements.
Upon sentencing, Hardstaff faces an extended or indeterminate custodial sentence alongside statutory public protection measures, including applications for a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), lifetime registration on the Sex Offenders Register under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, and permanent barring from regulated activity involving children or vulnerable adults.
Under the provisions of Section 49 of the Children and Young Persons Act 1933 and the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992, all child and adult complainants and victims connected to sexual offence proceedings are protected by automatic, lifelong statutory anonymity. Publishing, broadcasting, or disseminating any details, names, addresses, educational facilities, or photographs capable of leading to public identification is strictly prohibited under UK law.
Hardstaff stood convicted of:
Ten counts of rape (including two counts involving a child under 13)
Five counts of assault by penetration (including three counts involving a child under 13)
Three counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity
Seven counts of sexual assault on a female
One count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent
One count of controlling or coercive behaviour in an intimate relationship
Case status and upcoming measures:
Convicted of 27 offences following jury trial; remanded in custody awaiting sentencing on 25 November 2026
Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) considerations
Restraining orders protecting all four victims
Mandatory notification requirements on the Sex Offenders Register for life under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 upon sentence
Permanent barring from working with children or vulnerable adults (Children’s and Adults’ Barred Lists)
Strict post-custodial statutory licence supervision conditions enforceable upon release from custody
Image – Anonymous Artist Impression
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