Man convicted of 27 sex offences, including rape

A man has been found guilty of 27 sexual offences against a woman and three girls, including 10 counts of rape.

Jake Hardstaff, 35, from Boston, Lincolnshire, was convicted on Thursday at Lincoln Crown Court following a two-week trial.

Hardstaff had pleaded not guilty to all the allegations involving four separate victims, one of whom was nine when the abuse started, according to police.

He is due to be sentenced on 25 November.

Lincolnshire Police said the offences, which also included sexual assault and causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent, were committed between June 2019 and June 2024.

Det Con Helen Wood, who led the investigation, said it had been a harrowing case.

"This verdict is testament to the extraordinary courage of the victims, who have endured unimaginable trauma and have shown remarkable strength in coming forward and resilience to endure the – at times – gruelling judicial process," she said.

Hardstaff was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing.

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