The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has paid £2.5m in compensation to former air cadets who were sexually abused by their group leader, according to a legal firm.

Ronald Hardman, 81, an ex-officer with 327 Kilmarnock Squadron Air Training Corps in Ayrshire, is behind bars for attacks on young boys from the 1960s to the 1990s.

Digby Brown Solicitors said it had recovered the money for seven of Hardman's victims after he used his position to "target, groom and attack".

In 2018 he was sentenced to five years for abusing three boys, nine years in 2019 for attacks on 12 others, then eight years in 2025 for abusing two more boys.

Partner Richard Pitts, a specialist in military claims, said: "The scale of Hardman's abuse is unlike anything we've seen before.

"Ever since his crimes first came to light eight years ago there's just been a continuous prosecution and charge sheet against him – and rightly so.

"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."

In 2018 Hardman was found guilty at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court after denying charges of indecent assault and lewd and libidinous behaviour.

The court heard that the volunteer warrant officer had identified potential victims when they were being fitted for their air cadet uniforms.

He plied the youngsters, who were aged between 13 and 17, with alcohol and showed them pornographic magazines

One former cadet said he was 14 when Hardman made him sit on his lap to drive his car and groped him while he tried to reach the pedals.

In 2019, Hardman was given nine more years in jail after admitting 15 further charges at the High Court in Glasgow.

Attacks took place at several locations, including the squadron hall, a campsite, and at Drumness Forest in Dumfries and Galloway.

Lord Beckett described his crimes as pre-meditated and "grossly corrupting".

The court was told that one boy - aged 13 when he joined the ATC - was abused between 15 to 20 times.

Hardman would try to buy his victims' silence by giving them money, sweets, or takeaway meals.

In May 2025 he was jailed for a further eight years for the abuse of two boys at the Kilmarnock squadron and at his home in the Ayrshire town.

Digby Brown said Hardman's victims had received MoD compensation with individual settlements ranging from £150,000 to £750,000.

Pitts added: "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."

The MoD has been contacted for comment.