Seven former air cadets are set to share almost £2.5 million in compensation after winning civil settlements from the Ministry of Defence over historic sexual abuse committed by former warrant officer Ronald Hardman.
The payments, ranging from £150,000 to £750,000, relate to abuse suffered by youngsters who belonged to the 327 Air Training Corps squadron in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire.
Hardman, now 81, has received three separate prison sentences totalling 22 years after being convicted of offences against 17 boys.
Abuse spanned decades
The abuse took place over a period stretching from the 1960s into the 1990s, with Hardman using his position within the cadet organisation to gain access to young people.
According to evidence presented during his criminal cases, he identified potential victims while they were being fitted for uniforms.
He was also accused of giving youngsters alcohol and showing them pornographic magazines before abusing them.
The allegations eventually developed into a major criminal investigation after the first conviction brought forward further reports from former cadets.
First conviction exposed wider allegations
Hardman’s offending became public in 2018 when he was convicted of abusing three cadets between 1981 and 1995.
He was sentenced to five years in prison following the case at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court.
The conviction prompted a much wider police investigation, during which officers reportedly interviewed hundreds of people as they sought to establish the scale of the allegations.
That investigation uncovered further accusations dating back several decades.
Twelve more boys featured in 2019 case
In 2019, Hardman received another nine-year prison sentence after admitting to 15 additional charges involving 12 boys.
The offences included lewd and libidinous behaviour and indecent assault.
The case was heard at the High Court in Glasgow, where prosecutors detailed incidents that allegedly occurred at several locations connected to the cadet environment.
These included the squadron hall, a campsite and Drumness Forest in Dumfries and Galloway.
Court heard of repeated abuse of one teenager
One particularly disturbing account involved a boy who was 13 when he joined the Air Training Corps.
The court heard that he was abused between 15 and 20 times during Hardman’s time at the squadron, which covered a period from 1960 to 1995.
Sentencing Hardman, Lord Beckett described his offending as premeditated and “grossly corrupting”.
He said the offender had deceived, manipulated, groomed and coerced the boys.
Third conviction came in 2025
Hardman faced the courts again in 2025 when he was convicted of molesting two further boys.
That conviction resulted in another eight-year prison sentence, bringing the total length of his three sentences to 22 years.
The successive cases have revealed the extensive nature of allegations against a man who had held a position of trust within the cadet organisation.
Solicitor urges other victims to come forward
Richard Pitts, a partner at Digby Brown Solicitors and a specialist in military claims, said the scale of the abuse was exceptionally serious.
He described Hardman as comparable to Jimmy Savile in terms of the alleged exploitation of his position within the cadet force.
Pitts said the evidence gathered from victims showed a consistent pattern in which Hardman allegedly used his trusted role to target, groom and abuse boys.
He also urged anyone who has not yet reported their experiences to consider coming forward.
Compensation aims to support survivors
Pitts said his firm had recovered just under £2.5 million for seven victims through settlements with the Ministry of Defence.
The individual awards range from £150,000 to £750,000.
He said the compensation could help survivors deal with the consequences of abuse that had affected their adult lives.
Pitts argued that the Ministry of Defence should compensate victims because the abuse was allegedly committed by someone operating within an organisation under its responsibility.
Ministry of Defence responds
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson described Hardman’s crimes as “heinous and deeply shocking” and said the department’s thoughts remained with those who were abused.
The ministry also pointed to safeguarding measures currently in place to protect young people.
These include mandatory security and background checks for adults working with children, disclosure requirements and regular safeguarding training.
The long-term impact of historic abuse
The compensation settlements come decades after many of the alleged offences occurred, highlighting the lengthy path some survivors face before seeking justice and financial redress.
The criminal convictions established Hardman’s guilt in relation to the offences for which he was prosecuted, while the civil settlements provide compensation to seven victims.
The legal representative for the survivors said the passage of time should not prevent perpetrators from being held accountable.
What’s next?
Digby Brown said it would continue supporting people affected by Hardman’s offending and encouraged other potential victims to seek legal advice.
With Hardman now in his 80s, Pitts said those who have not yet come forward should consider doing so while criminal and civil avenues remain available.
The historic nature of the allegations means further claims could depend on individual circumstances and the available evidence.
Summary
Seven former members of the 327 Air Training Corps in Kilmarnock are set to receive almost £2.5 million in compensation from the Ministry of Defence following historic sexual abuse committed by Ronald Hardman.
Hardman has been convicted three times and sentenced to a combined 22 years in prison for offences involving 17 boys.
His offending, which spanned several decades, came to wider public attention after his 2018 conviction triggered a major police investigation and further prosecutions.
The latest compensation settlements are intended to support survivors whose lives were profoundly affected by the abuse, while lawyers continue urging anyone with relevant experiences to come forward.
