Latest news with #Hardman
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Warning for Aussie families going camping ahead of the King's birthday long weekend
Even though it's getting cold, some risks are heightened. Found out how to stay safe and avoid fines of up to $47,000. It's important to know the rules around campfires, as mistakes can be devastating for the environment and very costly for the camper. Source: Getty A warning has been issued for those planning to get away this long weekend. For many Aussies, public holidays go hand-in-hand with a trip away, but those heading outdoors to spend a couple of nights under the stars are being urged to stay alert. Now that it is officially winter, it may feel like the fire risk has passed – but authorities in one state are reminding campers that many parks and forests remain dry, meaning bush fire risk is still very real and present. In parts of western, southwestern and southeastern Victoria, a warmer and drier-than-average autumn has led to a higher fire risk than usual. Forest Fire Management Victoria Chief Fire Officer Chris Hardman said campfires can quickly become devastating bushfires. Authorities warn that even though the temperatures have dropped, the fire risk is actually heightened. Source: Forest Fire Management Victoria 'Even at this time of year, just one unattended or poorly managed campfire can cause serious damage to the environment and put lives and property at risk,' Mr Hardman said. ADVERTISEMENT 'This season, we've responded to more than 370 incidents involving campfires. This included the Boroka Lookout Fire, where an illegal campfire turned into a bushfire in difficult terrain, on the edge of the cliff diverting resources responding to bushfires in the Grampians National Park. 'With a little extra care around your campfire this long weekend, we can keep forests and parks healthy and safe for everyone to enjoy.' He added an important tip, reminding campers to never leave a campfire unattended and always use water to extinguish it. If it's cool to touch, it's safe to Fire Management Victoria Chief Fire Officer Chris Hardman Rangers will be patrolling the state's parks and forests on the lookout for any illegal campfires and rule flouters this long weekend. So what are the rules? You can light a campfire anywhere in a state forest if it is safe to do so No fires allowed on Total Fire Ban Days If it is hot and windy, reconsider if you really need to light a fire Fireplaces need to be either purpose-built by the land manager or in a hole in the ground at least 30cm deep Clear at least 3 metres around the fire of anything that could burn, like leaves, tents, clothing etc. Keep your fire and all logs under 1 metre across Never leave a fire unattended Fully extinguish a fire before going to bed or leaving the campsite – even for a short period of time Only use water to put out a campfire. Ashes can stay hot underneath dirt and soil, and can reignite days later ADVERTISEMENT Anyone found breaking the rules in Victorian public land face a maximum penalty of $19,759 if the matter goes to court. Lighting a fire on a Total Fire Ban day can land you a seriously big $47,421.60 fine and two years in jail. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Daily Record
22-05-2025
- Daily Record
Ex-Kilmarnock RAF cadet officer jailed again for abuse of boys
Ronald Hardman, 80, preyed on the youngsters mainly at the squadron in Kilmarnock and at his then home in the Ayrshire town. A former air cadet officer has been handed an eight-year sentence after being found guilty of abusing two teenage boys, writes Grant McCabe. Ronald Hardman, 80, preyed on the youngsters mainly at the squadron in Kilmarnock and at his then home in the Ayrshire town. One of the victims recalled how he "exploded" at the now 80 year-old in rage when he molested him. Hardman - who had been a trusted volunteer warrant officer at the Kilmarnock Air Training Corps (ATC) for 35 years - had denied the crimes. He was this week sentenced by Judge Douglas Brown at the High Court in Glasgow. Hardman had earlier been found guilty of lewd and libidinous behaviour and indecent assault against both victims. Jurors had taken just 15 minutes to convict him. Hardman was already behind bars for the serial abuse of young cadets. He was initially locked up for five years in late 2018 for sex crimes against three teenagers. But a huge investigation, resulting in 300 former cadets speaking to police, led to fresh allegations. More victims then bravely came forward to reveal how they also suffered at the hands of Hardman. In September 2019, he was sentenced to nine years after he pleaded guilty to 15 charges of lewd and libidinous conduct as well as indecent assault involving 12 boys. Hardman was then prosecuted for these latest offences in 2023. His stay in prison was due to expire in 2028. The eight year-term imposed by Judge Brown runs from Tuesday of this week. The attacks involving these two boys occurred between 1988 and 1993. Hardman had been with the ATC from 1960 to 1995. In his evidence, the now pensioner said his aim was to keep the cadets "safe in his care" and to "try and encourage them to go into the RAF." But, instead, Hardman abused his position to take advantage of youngsters. This included groping the boys in this latest case when fitting them out for their cadet outfits. Hardman's KC Murray Macara put to him: "One said that you tried to grope him while measuring him for his uniform and that he exploded saying: 'Do not ever do that again to me'." The pervert denied that happened. He also refuted other attacks on this victim such as molesting him on a bus during a trip to Alton Towers. Hardman even claimed he had no memory of this youngster at the ATC. The OAP further denied any abuse of the other boy including preying on him having got him to come to the squadron hall by lying other cadets would be there. Hardman also suggested evidence he got boys to swim naked, made them play Strip Poker, look at pornographic magazines or plied them with drink were untrue. Prosecutor Tracey Brown went on to quiz Hardman about boys going to his home. Miss Brown: "You were around 50 at the time. These cadets were 14 or 15. Why invite teenage boys into your flat?" Hardman replied: "Don't really know. Just to play cards." The advocate depute then said: "Not think it more appropriate to invite men your own age?" He replied: "Not really, no. The only people I knew were in the ATC." Hardman claimed he was "good to cadets". Miss Brown later concluded: "So, in your case two (now) men have made up allegations - you say both are lying and that you are the only one telling the truth?" He claimed that was correct. Hardman was once again put on the sex offenders list.
The Herald Scotland
20-05-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Former air cadet officer Ronald Hardman jailed for abuse of teens
One of the victims recalled how he "exploded" at the now 80 year-old in rage when he molested him. Hardman - who had been a trusted volunteer warrant officer at the Kilmarnock Air Training Corps (ATC) for 35 years - had denied the crimes. He was today sentenced by Judge Douglas Brown at the High Court in Glasgow. Hardman had earlier been found guilty of lewd and libidinous behaviour and indecent assault against both victims. Jurors had taken just 15 minutes to convict him. Hardman was already behind bars for the serial abuse of young cadets. Read more Scottish crime and courts news in The Herald: He was initially locked up for five years in late 2018 for sex crimes against three teenagers. But, a huge investigation – resulting in 300 former cadets speaking to police – led to fresh allegations. More victims then bravely came forward to reveal how they also suffered at the hands of Hardman. In September 2019, he was sentenced to nine years after he pleaded guilty to 15 charges of lewd and libidinous conduct as well as indecent assault involving 12 boys. Hardman was then prosecuted for these latest offences in 2023. His stay in prison was due to expire in 2028. The eight year-term imposed by Judge Brown runs from today. The attacks involving these two boys occurred between 1988 and 1993. Hardman had been with the ATC from 1960 to 1995. In his evidence, the now pensioner said his aim was to keep the cadets "safe in his care" and to "try and encourage them to go into the RAF". But, instead, Hardman abused his position to take advantage of youngsters. This included groping the boys in this latest case when fitting them out for their cadet outfits. Hardman's KC Murray Macara put to him: "One said that you tried to grope him while measuring him for his uniform and that he exploded saying: 'Do not ever do that again to me'." The pervert denied that happened. He also refuted other attacks on this victim such as molesting him on a bus during a trip to Alton Towers. Hardman even claimed he had no memory of this youngster at the ATC. The OAP further denied any abuse of the other boy including preying on him having got him to come to the squadron hall by lying other cadets would be there. Hardman also suggested evidence he got boys to swim naked, made them play Strip Poker, look at pornographic magazines or plied them with drink were untrue. Prosecutor Tracey Brown went on to quiz Hardman about boys going to his home. Miss Brown: "You were around 50 at the time. These cadets were 14 or 15. "Why invite teenage boys into your flat?" Hardman: "Don't really know. Just to play cards." The advocate depute: "Not think it more appropriate to invite men your own age?" He replied: "Not really, no. The only people I knew were in the ATC." Hardman claimed he was "good to cadets". Miss Brown later concluded: "So, in your case two (now) men have made up allegations - you say both are lying and that you are the only one telling the truth?" He claimed that was correct. Hardman was once again put on the sex offenders list.
STV News
20-05-2025
- STV News
Former air cadet officer who abused 12 boys given extra jail time for two more attacks
A former air cadet officer has been handed an eight-year sentence after being found guilty of abusing two teenage boys. Ronald Hardman, 80, preyed on the youngsters mainly at the squadron in Kilmarnock and at his then home in the Ayrshire town. One of the victims recalled how he 'exploded' at the now 80-year-old in rage when he molested him. Hardman – who had been a trusted volunteer warrant officer at the Kilmarnock Air Training Corps (ATC) for 35 years – had denied the crimes. He was sentenced by Judge Douglas Brown at the High Court in Glasgow on Tuesday. Hardman had earlier been found guilty of lewd and libidinous behaviour and indecent assault against both victims. Jurors had taken just 15 minutes to convict him. Hardman was already behind bars for the serial abuse of young cadets. He was initially locked up for five years in late 2018 for sex crimes against three teenagers. But, a huge investigation – resulting in 300 former cadets speaking to police – led to fresh allegations. More victims then bravely came forward to reveal how they also suffered at the hands of Hardman. In September 2019, he was sentenced to nine years after he pleaded guilty to 15 charges of lewd and libidinous conduct as well as indecent assault involving 12 boys. Hardman was then prosecuted for these latest offences in 2023. His stay in prison was due to expire in 2028. The eight year-term imposed by Judge Brown runs from Tuesday. The attacks involving these two boys occurred between 1988 and 1993. Hardman had been with the ATC from 1960 to 1995. In his evidence, the now pensioner said his aim was to keep the cadets 'safe in his care' and to 'try and encourage them to go into the RAF'. But, instead, Hardman abused his position to take advantage of youngsters. This included groping the boys in this latest case when fitting them out for their cadet outfits. Hardman's KC Murray Macara put to him: 'One said that you tried to grope him while measuring him for his uniform and that he exploded saying: 'Do not ever do that again to me'.' Hardman denied that happened. He also refuted other attacks on this victim such as molesting him on a bus during a trip to Alton Towers. Hardman even claimed he had no memory of this youngster at the ATC. The OAP further denied any abuse of the other boy including preying on him having got him to come to the squadron hall by lying other cadets would be there. Hardman also suggested evidence he got boys to swim naked, made them play Strip Poker, look at pornographic magazines or plied them with drink were untrue. Prosecutor Tracey Brown went on to quiz Hardman about boys going to his home. Ms Brown said: 'You were around 50 at the time. These cadets were 14 or 15. 'Why invite teenage boys into your flat?' Hardman said: 'Don't really know. Just to play cards.' The advocate depute asked: 'Not think it more appropriate to invite men your own age?' He replied: 'Not really, no. The only people I knew were in the ATC.' Hardman claimed he was 'good to cadets'. Ms Brown later concluded: 'So, in your case two (now) men have made up allegations – you say both are lying and that you are the only one telling the truth?' He claimed that was correct. Hardman was once again put on the sex offenders list. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
Queen Elizabeth 'Was Only Afraid of One Thing' and Had No Choice But to Face It
Queen Elizabeth had only one major fear, and it's related to technology. She often had to fly for royal duty, and contend with the fact that her sons and grandsons flew all the time for military duty when each served. Her fear made her 2012 London Olympics sketch even more powerful and poignant, proving that we can all stare fear in the eye and conquer Elizabeth only had one real fear, a royal biographer said—and as monarch, she had to interface with her fear all the time. Speaking on The Daily Mail's podcast "Queens, Kings and Dastardly Things" (via Marie Claire), according to veteran royal author Robert Hardman, the late Queen 'was only afraid of one thing, and that was helicopters.' 'She could put up with everything else,' Hardman added. 'She'd been through the war, she'd been through Heaven knows what, but she always had a thing about helicopters.' The fear, Marie Claire reported, stemmed—at least in part—from a member of her staff dying in a helicopter crash in the 1960s. Hardman said the accident 'left a very deep impression on the Queen' and that, in the immediate aftermath, she refused to ride in helicopters. That said, she did ride in them later in her reign—'at times, it was necessary due to her schedule or where she was traveling,' Marie Claire reported. Not too terribly long after the 1960s accident, the Queen traveled to Northern Ireland in 1977 and had to come face-to-face with her fear. The historic visit came during the 'height of the Troubles' in Northern Ireland, and because of security concerns, her team suggested the safest way to travel was via helicopter. Hardman said on the podcast that Her Late Majesty was given 'no choice' but to take a helicopter during the visit. 'Even at the end of her life, she was very reluctant to use helicopters in bad weather and at night and particularly during winter,' Hardman continued, adding, 'It's somewhat ironic that several of her children and grandchildren—notably Prince Charles, Prince Andrew, Prince William, and Prince Harry—all ended up flying helicopters at various points. She never liked them.' The Queen especially butted heads with William, a trained helicopter pilot, who frequently flew his young family in helicopters—including, of course, eldest son Prince George, who is heir to the throne. Royal biographer Robert Jobson wrote (via The Daily Mail) that the Queen once 'had sharp words' with William for defying 'her wishes': 'She had warned him against flying with George in case of an accident, telling her grandson [William] he always had to be aware of the succession,' Jobson wrote. The Queen apparently had several conversations with William about the matter, with a source telling The Sun, 'Her Majesty has told close friends and courtiers that she would like William to stop flying himself, particularly in bad weather, as helicopters are not the safest form of transport. It keeps the Queen awake at night, and she is understandably very worried.' It makes it even more admirable that Queen Elizabeth faced down her fear of helicopters to imitate jumping out of one for the 2012 London Olympics and her memorable sketch with Daniel Craig (aka James Bond). 'We wrote up this James Bond idea and we sent it into [Buckingham Palace],' director Danny Boyle said, per The Daily Mail. 'We were asking, really, for permission. For them to accept that it wouldn't embarrass them and we would get a double—a good double. We were thinking Helen Mirren. They came back and said, 'We are delighted for you to do it, and Her Majesty would like to be in it herself. She would like to play herself.'' The day of filming, Boyle shared that the Queen had been at the dentist all day and was therefore 'not in a very good mood': 'That put me in my place immediately,' he said. As to why the Queen agreed to do the bit, royal biographer Tina Brown wrote in her book The Palace Papers that 'She thought it would be a great joke to amuse her grandchildren,' adding, 'Her only real concern was keeping it a secret until the moment she walked out in person after the 'leap' to take her place with Philip in the Royal Box.' Middle distance runner Sebastian Coe watched the Olympics opening ceremony alongside Prince Charles, with Prince William and Prince Harry sitting in the row behind them, per The Daily Mail. 'None of them knew about the Queen's involvement, nor that the film even existed,' Coe told Brown. 'So when the sequence began, with the corgis racing up what were obviously very familiar stairs, Prince Charles looked at me and began laughing rather nervously, wondering where on earth this was going.' 'And when the film cut to the shot of the royal back, he had exactly the same reaction as everyone else, which was to assume it was the lady who does the impersonations,' Coe continued. 'But the moment she turned around and everyone realized, 'My God! It really is the Queen!' he began roaring with laughter.' As for William and Harry, 'they were beside themselves,' he continued. 'As she started her descent two voices shouted out in unison behind me, 'Go Granny!' For me, that was the nicest thing.' Who says you can't look fear in the eye sometimes? Read the original article on InStyle
