Dance teacher Ryan Shane Hards sentenced for sexually assaulting woman during a cruise

A dance teacher and real estate agent found guilty by a jury of digitally penetrating a woman while she was drunk on an overseas cruise will not serve any time in jail.

Ryan Shane Hards, 31, of Nelson Bay, was sentenced on Thursday morning in the Downing Centre District Court to 18 months’ jail wholly suspended. Picture: Facebook.

A dance teacher and real estate agent found guilty by a jury of digitally penetrating a woman while she was drunk on an overseas cruise will not serve any time in jail.

Ryan Shane Hards, 31, of Nelson Bay, was sentenced on Thursday morning in Sydney District Court to 18 months’ jail wholly suspended after being found guilty of the charge of sexual intercourse while reckless as to consent.

The offending occurred in 2017 while the victim was on a cruise to the United States as part of a dance tour.

On the final night of the cruise, Hards texted the victim, “We need to get you drunk,” after she appeared embarrassed during a karaoke performance.

Hards had hosted a group of young women in his cabin, providing them with wine while he drank beer.

Ryan Shane Hards, 31, of Nelson Bay, was sentenced on Thursday morning in the Downing Centre District Court to 18 months’ jail wholly suspended Picture: Facebook.

He also bought vodka and lemonade, sharing drinks with the group at the ship’s nightclub.

The court heard the victim consumed multiple alcoholic drinks and, by the time she left the club, was struggling to stand and had blurry vision.

Ryan Shane Hards, 31, of Nelson Bay, was sentenced on Thursday morning in the Downing Centre District Court to 18 months’ jail wholly suspended

Hards, the court heard, was also intoxicated and the pair were later alone on the top deck.

The victim said she recalled Hards offering to take her back to her cabin before scooping her up and carrying her.

In his evidence, Hards said he began to carry her back to her cabin, but on the way, the victim suggested they instead go to his cabin.

The Crown argued that the victim’s ability to consent was impaired by the level of intoxication, and that Hards either knew or was reckless to that fact.

Ryan Shane Hards, 31, of Nelson Bay, was sentenced on Thursday morning in the Downing Centre District Court to 18 months’ jail wholly suspended

Hards told the court he believed the victim was capable of consenting, even though he was also drunk.

In sentencing, Judge Sarah Hopkins said the jury accepted that Hards believed there was consent, but ultimately found the victim’s consent was compromised due to her level of intoxication.

During the trial, a witness told the court the victim was struggling to walk and had to be assisted by Hards.

The court also heard the victim did not verbally or physically object to the intercourse, and at one point, was on top of Hards.

The act lasted only a few seconds.

The Crown maintained that the victim’s capacity to consent was negated by her level of intoxication.

In a victim impact statement, the woman said the incident had deeply affected her life. She now lives with PTSD, anxiety, fear and shame.

Ryan Shane Hards, 31, of Nelson Bay, was sentenced on Thursday morning in the Downing Centre District Court to 18 months’ jail wholly suspended.

Hards was described as being “devastated” and stated he would not have been comfortable had he known the victim had not given informed consent.

He said he had spent many hours reflecting on what he could have done differently.

The court heard he has also suffered financial consequences, including a reported loss of $1.5 million in income.

Judge Hopkins said there was no prior physical misconduct or intimacy between Hards and the victim.

“I find the offending was largely opportunistic, with his intent forming at the time or soon after the decision to go back to his cabin,” she said.

“Hards placed her in a vulnerable position alone with him in his cabin.

“The act of digital penetration constituted a serious invasion of the victim’s bodily integrity. It was, however, brief and not described as painful. The conduct involved no force, threats or coercion.”

Hards was convicted and placed on an 18 month bond on the condition he must not commit any offences.

The sentencing on the single charge ended a court-imposed suppression order on all aspects of Hards’ cases, including that he was acquitted of all five charges involving multiple complaints during a trial in September 2023.

The jury returned with the not guilty verdicts after more than 15 hours of deliberations.