Crossword Genius

The crime of a hard-hearted lad (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

arson

'the crime' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'a hard-hearted lad' is the wordplay.
'hearted' says to take the centre.
'lad' becomes 'son'.
The central letters of 'hard' are 'ar'.
'ar'+'son'='ARSON'

'of' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for arson that I've seen before include "The act of firing" , "Crime of fire-setting (5)" , "Criminal activity" , "Sonar (anag.)" , "major crime" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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