A ‘SOPHISTICATED’ stalker who harassed multiple people online by creating countless fake social media profiles of his victims has been jailed.

Matthew James Hardy, of Forest Place, Northwich, was sentenced to nine years at Chester Crown Court today, Wednesday, for the ‘deep and sophisticated infiltration into his victims’ personal lives’.

The 30-year-old admitted creating fake profiles on social media between April 2016 and August 2021 to try and befriend his victims – sometimes even posing as their friends and family members in order to gather information about them that would cause embarrassment.

After gaining the trust of his victims – who were mostly successful young women – he would send messages he knew were a lie in order to create rifts amongst their friends and family.

Prosecutor Andrew Green explained how on one occasion, Hardy targeted a small business owner, calling her more than 70 times, and set up a fake profile using her own photographs to speak to people close to her.

On another occasion, Hardy spread false rumours about a woman having a sexual relationship with her father-in-law to cause friction in her family

The court heard how he would sometimes ‘taunt’ his victims about his continued creation of fake profiles in their name, saying: ‘It’ll never you stop, you know’ and ‘Good luck figuring out who I am.’

Defending, Sara Haque, explained how Hardy has autism, learning difficulties and mental health issues.

She said his inability to form relationships, living a very isolated life, had led him to try and connect with people online – and then ‘lash out’ when they ‘rejected him’.

She said: “The defendant wishes to have a full, happy life.

“He sees these people living their happy lives online and tries to make a connection with them.

“All the offences started out with a ‘hello’.

“There is then a rejection that the defendant feels, which then triggers a lashing out.

“He does not understand that impact on the victims.”

Judge Everett, passing sentence, did not agree with this and said Hardy knew what he was doing and had an ‘innate criminality’, as highlighted through his ‘sophisticated’ scheme of harassment.

Judge Everett said: “Over a period of five or years, you conducted a campaign principally against young women who I am sure you researched on social media.

“It’s important that everyone understand that I am quite satisfied that all of your mental health issues did not stop you from understanding your actions.

“They had done nothing to harm you – most, if not all, did not know who you were.

“You chose them at random and they had to pay for it with sheer misery.

“You sat there in your room, wherever you were, and you deliberately sent these spiteful messages.

“It’s difficult to imagine the fear and shock and worry that you caused to your victims and their families.”

Following the sentencing, PC Kevin Anderson from Northwich Local Policing Unit, said: “Having led on this case for more than 18 months I have seen the emotional distress and turmoil that Hardy has inflicted on his victims – he did all of this while hiding behind his computer screen.

“The impact on those affected by his actions has been immense, causing some of them to change some of their daily habits, and live in constant fear that they were being watched.

“On other occasions, it caused them to lose trust in their friends and family members, and even led to the breakdown of long-term relationships.

“Thankfully, Hardy has now been held accountable for his actions, and his online activity has finally been brought to a stop. I hope that the conclusion of this case will provide some closure for his victims and enable them to rebuild and move forward with their lives.”

Sergeant Andy Cooper, of Northwich Local Policing Unit, added: “This has been an extremely complex case involving a number of victims across the UK.

“Hardy was relentless and thought that he had covered his tracks. He created hundreds of fake accounts in order to gain the trust of his victims and he manipulated them into believing the lies that he was feeding them.

“Thankfully, as a result of the dedication and diligence shown by PC Anderson, we were able to gather the evidence required to ensure that Hardy was finally held accountable for his actions.

“PC Anderson went above and beyond his role in order to achieve justice for Hardy’s victims and I would like to thank him for his professionalism and focus throughout this investigation.”

Cheshire Constabulary now has a number of Specialist Victim Advocates who work within the force’s Harm Reduction Unit and can provide victims of stalking practical support, safety planning and advocacy where required.

Detective Superintendent Louise Cherrington, force lead for stalking, said: “Stalking can come in many forms and in cases such as this many people may not realise that they have been a victim.

“However, the emotional distress that this type of crime can cause cannot be underestimated and I hope that the conclusion of this case will give other victims the confidence to come forward – you will be listened to and we will do all that we can to ensure that action is taken.”

Anyone who believes they have been a victim should contact police on 101, or in an emergency call 999.

Alternatively, advice and support is available via the National Stalking Helpline on 0808 802 0300, or online at https://www.suzylamplugh.org/ .