Greater Manchester Police detective charged with 20 sexual offences
Stephen Hardy is due in court next month
A detective at Greater Manchester Police has been charged with a string of sex offences.
Detective Constable Stephen Hardy is accused of 20 sexual offences including four counts of rape.
Hardy, 45, who was based in Stockport, was investigated after police received a report of allegations in June 2020.
A spokeswoman for GMP said: "He has been suspended from duty and misconduct proceedings will recommence upon conclusion of criminal proceedings."
Hardy is accused of four counts of rape, two counts of possession of extreme pornography, two counts of making/taking an indecent image of a child, two counts of causing/inciting a girl aged over 13 to engage in sexual activity, one count of causing a girl aged over 13 to engage in sexual activity, one count of causing a child to watch an image of a sexual act, five counts of sexual assault and three counts of assault by penetration.
He will appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates' Court on August 10.