A 64-year-old paedophile from Burnley, Derek Hardman, has been jailed for over 11 years after engaging in sexual activity with a vulnerable 16-year-old girl.
Police were first made aware of Derek Hardman, of no fixed address, on September 28, but he denied any wrongdoing in a police interview.
However, a comprehensive investigation uncovered a multitude of evidence that disproved his assertions of innocence.
This included an array of concerning text messages Derek Hardman had sent to his victim.
Derek Hardman, now of no fixed address, was convicted of five counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child at Burnley Crown Court in November.
He returned to the same court today, March 3, where he was also made subject to a 20-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and told to sign the Sex Offender Register for life.
In a statement to the court, the victim wrote: “I am not working at the moment, and I think that some of it is due to the effect that the crimes have had on me.
“It has really affected my mental health. I don’t like going out on my own, and I don’t go out at night. I’m too scared.”
“I have had nightmares about what Derek did to me. The doctor prescribed me sleeping tablets for this.
“I still have sleepless nights and nightmares about what happened. I was diagnosed with PTSD in February 2023 as a result of the crimes committed against me. This is something that I need to work through.”
All of the offences took place in Burnley.
DC Sarah Whittaker, from Burnley CID, said: “Derek Hardman is a sexual predator who poses a significant risk to women via his controlling behaviour and perverted sexual interests.
“I welcome the sentence handed down to him today, which gives the public some protection from his abhorrent offending.
“I’d like to place on record my admiration for the victim in this case, who has shown incredible bravery throughout this case, particularly while giving evidence during the trial.
“I hope this case and its outcome will encourage other victims to come forward, confident they will be listened to and believed, and that we will do everything in our power to put those who have committed offences against them before the courts.”
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