Four jailed following Farnborough murder investigation

Four men have been jailed for a total of 92 years after being found guilty of killing 25-year-old Richard Hardy.

Mr Hardy was found injured in Mayfield Road, Farnborough, between 1.30pm and 1.35pm on Friday 26 January, 2018.

He had been stabbed multiple times and was pronounced dead at the scene.

A jury at Portsmouth Crown Court found three of the defendants guilty of the murder of Mr Hardy.

Hashim Siddique, 20, of Fintry Walk, Farnborough, was jailed for 27 years.

Qasan Siddique, 23, of Fintry Walk, Farnborough, was jailed for 29 years.

Omar Goodridge, 21, of Montgomery Way, Portsmouth, was jailed for 28 years.

A fourth man, Leroy Bosha, 27, of Aldwick Close, Farnborough, was found guilty of manslaughter and was jailed for eight years.

A fifth man, Luther Archibald, 31, of Totland Close, Farnborough, had been deemed unfit to stand trial.

The jury found that he had not unlawfully killed Mr Hardy.

Speaking after the sentence hearing, Detective Chief Inspector Dave Storey said: “Today marks the end of a long investigation into the death of a young man who was stabbed multiple times.

“Mr Hardy’s death was planned and totally unnecessary, and is another example of the harm, misery and devastation that drug use and associated violence can inflict upon communities.

“We hope that today’s sentence provides some sort of closure for the family and friends of Mr Hardy, and those who live in the area where this murder took place.

“We are committed to tackling drug-related harm and knife crime, and will continue to work with our partners, both in Rushmoor and the wider county, to raise awareness around the risk and divert those who are vulnerable away from criminality.”

Julie Hardy, Richard’s mother, said: “I would like to emphasise my gratitude and massive thanks to all those who have helped in this case.

“Regardless of any outcome, nothing can bring Richard back. The traumatic effect it has had on all our lives is indescribable.”