Matthew Hardy, a cyberstalker from Northwich, Cheshire, U.K., terrorized dozens of women over a decade with his online harassment tactics. His infamous opening line, 'Can I tell you a secret?' marked the beginning of his reign of terror, as detailed in the Netflix documentary 'Can I Tell You A Secret?' based on The Guardian podcast series.
Hardy's modus operandi involved cyberstalking women, creating fake profiles to spread false and sexually explicit messages, and even sending intimate photos of his victims to their personal contacts. The repercussions of his actions were severe, leading to damaged relationships and reputations.
Despite multiple run-ins with the law, including warnings, suspended sentences, and restraining orders, Hardy's harassment persisted. It wasn't until 2019 that Cheshire police constable Kevin Anderson uncovered the extent of Hardy's crimes, reaching out to numerous victims and compiling evidence for prosecution.
Hardy's victims, numbering over 60, shared harrowing accounts of his relentless stalking, which extended to strangers and social media influencers. In 2020, Hardy was finally arrested and charged with stalking and harassment, to which he eventually pleaded guilty in 2022.
Following his guilty plea, Hardy was sentenced to nine years in prison for stalking and breaching a restraining order. However, in a subsequent appeal, his sentence was reduced to eight years due to a technicality related to stalker sentencing laws.
Currently incarcerated in a 'Category B' prison, Hardy receives treatment for his neurodivergence but reportedly lacks adequate support for his autism spectrum disorder. Despite the reduction in his sentence, the impact of Hardy's actions on his victims is likely to endure for a lifetime.
