MALTON TEACHER MATTHEW HARDY INVOLVED IN SEXUAL INCIDENT NEAR YORK

In January 2007, the reputation of Matthew Hardy, a music teacher based in Malton near York, was severely damaged following his admission of engaging in sexual activities with a 15-year-old girl. Hardy, aged 37, who was known for his involvement in a local music band, developed a relationship with the girl through their shared musical interests. The connection between them escalated through a series of text messages that became increasingly personal and intimate, ultimately leading to Hardy having sex with her on two separate occasions at his residence.

It was revealed during court proceedings that the girl was not a student at Woodleigh School, where Hardy was employed, located in Langton, near Malton. Hardy’s actions came to light after he confided in the head teacher at his school, which prompted him to resign immediately from his teaching position. Despite the gravity of the situation, the court heard that Hardy’s conduct was not predatory in nature. The school community, including the head teacher, parents, and the chairman of governors, expressed their support for Hardy, submitting testimonials to Judge Stephen Ashurst QC, who presided over the case.

Judge Ashurst addressed Hardy directly, stating, “Between May and July last year, you allowed your judgement, which hitherto had been exemplary, to go out of the window when you had intercourse on two occasions with a girl.” The judge also emphasized that Hardy was not considered a predatory paedophile, highlighting the numerous positive testimonials from pupils, parents, and colleagues that painted Hardy in a highly regarded light. Despite this, the judge sentenced Hardy to a nine-month prison term, suspended for two years, on the condition that he undergoes two years of supervision, including participation in a sex offender treatment program. Additionally, Hardy will be required to register as a sex offender for ten years.

Prosecutor David Bradshaw clarified that the girl involved was not a student at Hardy’s school. Their relationship originated through their mutual participation in a local music band, where they exchanged text messages that became increasingly personal and “heavy,” according to the girl. Hardy and the girl engaged in sexual activity twice at Hardy’s flat. The girl explained that during their first encounter, she felt pressured to continue to preserve their friendship, but by the second, she was fully cooperative, indicating a complex emotional context.

Defense lawyer Taryn Turner argued that the girl was mature beyond her age and that Hardy was a lonely man, despite his busy professional life. She also noted that both parties mutually agreed to end their relationship once they recognized its inappropriateness. Hardy, who resides on Langton Road in Malton and was previously based in York, sought help from a psychologist following the incident.

Woodleigh School’s head teacher, Michael England, issued a statement expressing his sorrow over the incident. He stated, “I’m greatly saddened by the events which have led to a former teacher from here ending up in court. I’m greatly saddened for the teacher and for the girl concerned. Happily, once the event had been seen by him as being wrong, he admitted it to me immediately, I suspended him and he resigned. We’ve lost an excellent teacher, and my only concern now is that the girl concerned suffers no harm of any kind. That, in my mind, is the single most important thing.”