A woman has been arrested in connection with an indecent child images probe involving a former primary school headteacher. The woman, in her 40s and from the Liverpool area, was arrested on suspicion of intentionally encouraging/assisting the commission of an either way offence. She has been released on conditional bail pending further enquiries.
Former principal pleads guilty to three counts
Mathew Hargreaves, 48, was the principal of King's Northway Primary Academy in Wavertree when he was arrested for a number of image offences, the ECHO exclusively reported earlier this year. Hargreaves, of Halewood but with a court address of Deepdale Avenue in Rochdale, pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent images of children relating to offences between April 2021 and May this year.
He denied a single count of taking an indecent image of a child and is due to stand trial in December this year to face that allegation. Hargreaves appeared via video link to prison on July 27 and pleaded not guilty to the charge. He was remanded in custody ahead of a three-day trial in the week commencing December 14 this year, with a pre-trial hearing scheduled for September 15.
Police confirm ongoing investigation
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police told the ECHO: "Our specialist online child abuse investigations team continues to progress extensive and thorough enquiries into this matter."
The force added: "Please note that a live investigation is ongoing and people are reminded to refrain from publishing any information on social media platforms which may impact on the investigation. This includes the publication of any names, photographs or personal details."
School and trust respond
King's Northway Primary Academy's acting principal, Mark Newton, previously told parents and carers that the offences did not relate to Hargreaves' employment at the school. In a letter seen by the ECHO, Mr Newton said: "As soon as we were informed of his arrest several weeks ago by police colleagues, he was immediately suspended from his role as principal as part of robust local authority and Great Schools Trust safeguarding procedures."
Shane Ierston, chief executive of Great Schools Trust, which includes King's Northway Primary Academy, told the ECHO: "As soon as we learned of Mathew Hargreaves' arrest earlier this year, he was suspended from his role at [the school]. Since then, we have been liaising with the relevant authorities. The offences do not relate to his employment at the school and, as the matter is subject to ongoing court proceedings, it would be inappropriate to make any further comment."
He added: "The safety and well-being of our students and staff remain our main priority, and we are offering any support they may need at this difficult time."
Background and community involvement
Hargreaves, whose name was initially spelt "Matthew" on court documents, deleted his LinkedIn page after his arrest, but the ECHO understands he had been principal at the school since 2019. In the wake of his arrest, King's Northway Primary Academy removed all references of Hargreaves from its website, newsletters and social media.
Hargreaves was "heavily involved" at St Nicholas' and St Mary's Church in the Halewood parish and "would preach at the church and be a very visible member", a source told the ECHO. He had roles at the church that included acting chair, lay chair and reader, meanwhile YouTube footage showed him appearing to lead morning worship.
A police spokesperson said: "We are working with partner agencies to ensure all necessary safeguarding measures are taken...If you have been a victim of a sexual offence or have concerns for someone you know, call 101 where you will be spoken to by specially trained officers. In an emergency, always call 999."
