Overview

• Duane Gardner, 26, assaulted 11 women across Stoke-on-Trent on May 17, 2024, targeting strangers in Hanley, Etruria, and Hartshill over three hours.
• He used a black Vauxhall Astra to approach his victims, who ranged in age and circumstances, including an elderly woman, a pregnant woman, and a grieving woman.
• Gardner pleaded guilty to nine counts of sexual assault and two counts of assault by penetration, with DNA evidence playing a key role in securing his conviction.
• Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court sentenced Gardner to 21 years in prison with a four-year extended licence period, and he was placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.
• Authorities emphasized their commitment to supporting survivors and ensuring severe penalties for sexual violence, with victims recounting the lasting trauma caused by the attacks.