Abuse victims of air cadets' own 'Savile' to share £2.5million payout

Click here to visit the Scotland home page for the latest news and sport See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 13:05 EDT, 27 August 2026 | Updated: 13:40 EDT, 27 August 2026 The victims of a pervert who abused air cadets over several decades are to share nearly £2.5million after winning a payout from the Ministry of Defence.Ronald Hardman abused more than a dozen youngsters who were part of 327 Air Training Corps in Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, between the 1960s and 1990s.The former warrant officer, who is now 81, has been handed three different jail sentences totalling 22 years for crimes against 17 young boys.Now, seven of his victims are to receive compensation payments ranging from £150,000 to £750,000 from the MoD for the historic abuse, the law firm representing them has said.Richard Pitts, a partner at Digby Brown Solicitors, said: ‘The scale of Hardman’s abuse is unlike anything we’ve seen before – he is undoubtedly the Savile of the cadet force.‘The evidence paints a clear and consistent picture of what happened in 327 – which is Hardman weaponised his trusted position to target, groom and attack.’Hardman’s crimes were exposed in 2018 when he was jailed for five years after being found guilty of abusing three cadets between 1981 and 1995.Kilmarnock Sheriff Court heard that he plied youngsters with drink and showed them pornographic magazines before abusing them.He identified his victims when they were being fitted for their uniforms.Following the conviction, there was then a major police investigation which uncovered a catalogue of fresh allegations against him, with officers reportedly interviewing hundreds as part of it. Ronald Hardman abused more than a dozen youngsters between the 1960s and 1990s The youngsters were part of 327 Air Training Corps in KilmarnockIn 2019, Hardman was given a nine-year jail sentence after admitting to 15 further charges against 12 boys, which related to lewd and libidinous behaviour and indecent assault.The case, heard at the High Court in Glasgow, was told the attacks took place in several locations including the squadron hall, a campsite, and at Drumness Forest in Dumfries and Galloway.The court was told that one boy, who was aged 13 when he joined the ATC, was abused between 15 and 20 times and that he preyed on youngsters during his time at the squadron between 1960 and 1995.Lord Beckett described the crimes as ‘pre-meditated’ and ‘grossly corrupting’ before telling the serial sex offender: ‘It is apparent that you deceived, manipulated, groomed and coerced the boys.’Then, in 2025, Hardman was convicted for a third time for molesting two other boys and was this time jailed for eight years.Mr Pitts, who is a specialist in military claims, said: ‘The passage of time should never prevent abusers from being brought to justice but the reality is that Hardman is now in his 80s so I’d encourage those who are yet to step forward to do so now while he can still be questioned and civil actions can be pursued.‘So far, we have recovered just short of £2.5m for seven victims and these settlements go towards helping support them in an adult life which Hardman’s crimes stole from them.‘That’s why it is right for the MoD to compensate victims - the abuse was carried out by their man, on their watch, and we will continue to support all people affected by these disgusting crimes.’A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: 'Ronald Hardman's crimes were heinous and deeply shocking. Our thoughts remain with the victims of his abuse.'We have robust safeguarding procedures in place to protect young people, including mandatory security and background checks for all adults working with children, strict disclosure requirements, and regular safeguarding training.'