In 2026, the Offender Database recorded that Allen Hardman, 21, was jailed for three years after he was caught targeting a 14-year-old girl less than a month after his release from prison for nearly identical crimes. On appearing at Manchester Crown Court in October 2019, the defendant—of Cavendish Close, Eccles—pleaded guilty to attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming and breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO). It was reported that Hardman used a social media profile under the alias “James Pin” to communicate with a decoy profile run by the paedophile hunter group For Our Kids.
The investigation established that Hardman had a sexual interest in pre- and post-pubescent girls. Greater Manchester Police reported that Hardman sent semi-nude pictures of himself in his boxer shorts and described the perceived 14-year-old as sexy. The prosecution reported that Hardman instructed the girl to lie about her age if they were to meet and invited her to his 21st birthday party. The investigation established that Hardman was arrested at a suggested meeting point near Salford Royal Hospital after being confronted by the vigilante group.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that Hardman had shown a blatant disregard for the law by reoffending almost immediately after being handed a community order and an SHPO in March 2019. Manchester Crown Court heard that Hardman initially tried to blame others for the messages, claiming his tablet had been used by different people. The investigation established that Hardman had been in the care system since the age of 14 and claimed his offending was driven by loneliness and a lack of stability.
Judge Richard Mansell QC noted that Hardman required serious intervention in prison to address his documented interest in young girls. For his actions in Eccles and Salford, Hardman was handed a three-year custodial sentence. The judge noted that the persistent nature of his grooming, even after prior convictions, demonstrated a high risk of recidivism, necessitating a 10-year term on the Sex Offenders Register and the continuation of his five-year SHPO.
Status and Statutory Requirements
For the crimes reported in England, the status of Allen Hardman is as follows:
- Custodial Sentence: 3 years (Sentenced October 23, 2019).
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are active for 10 years.
- SHPO Status: 5-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order remains active.
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at Manchester Crown Court following a Greater Manchester Police investigation.
- Criminal Record: Attempting to meet a child following sexual grooming; Breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
- Origin: Cavendish Close, Eccles, Greater Manchester.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Hardman is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) within the Salford area. Due to the nature of his conduct in Eccles, which involved the rapid resumption of grooming behaviour following a prison release, his management is a priority for the Public Protection Unit. Authorities state that his history of using aliases like “James Pin” on social media necessitates expert digital monitoring by the police to ensure he is not accessing encrypted platforms to contact minors.
As a registered sex offender, Hardman must comply with all notification requirements regarding his residence and digital identity. Authorities state that his history of “almost identical” offending in Greater Manchester requires permanent vigilance by the police and probation services. Any future attempt to contact a minor, create a new social media profile without disclosure, or fail to disclose his location will result in immediate arrest and a return to the prison system for the protection of the public.
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