Matthew Hardy, 30, from Northwich, Cheshire, has been sentenced to nine years in prison for stalking at least 62 women over 11 years, in what is believed to be the longest sentence for stalking in UK history. Hardy's victims included schoolmates and strangers, whom he terrorised with fake social media accounts, hacking, and spreading lies. Some victims slept with weapons, fearing for their safety.
Hardy's campaign of abuse began in 2009 when he targeted female classmates. He would send messages claiming to have secrets about their lives, such as infidelity, and would harass them incessantly if blocked. Over the years, he was arrested 10 times but evaded serious punishment until 2022, when Cheshire Constabulary finally secured a conviction.
Police received over 100 reports about Hardy from 62 victims. One survivor, Zoe Jade Hallam, said: 'Every time his name comes up, I hear other names.' PC Kevin Anderson of Cheshire Constabulary warned that there could be hundreds of victims. Hardy's sentence far exceeds the average of under 17 months for stalking, reflecting the severity of his crimes.
Victims suffered loss of relationships, jobs, and mental health issues. One kept a baseball bat in bed, another a samurai sword. The Suzy Lamplugh Trust called the sentence unprecedented. Hardy's reign of terror ended in January 2022, but questions remain over why the justice system failed to stop him for so long.
