Ex-Bexhill Teacher Jailed for Raping Pupil at Sussex School

Steven Hardie, a 65-year-old former science teacher at Bexhill High School in East Sussex, has been jailed for nine years and nine months for raping and sexually assaulting a pupil during his tenure at the school. The sentence was handed down at Brighton Crown Court on Monday, 26 October 2026, following his conviction at Lewes Crown Court, where he was found guilty of all charges except one count of indecency with a child.

Hardie, of Woodsgate Park in Bexhill, worked at the school—now known as Mulberry Academy Bexhill—between 1991 and 2007. He was dismissed in 2007 after receiving a police caution for grooming a female pupil. The conviction now before the courts relates to a different victim, Daily Dazzling Dawn understands.

In 2021, Sussex Police received intelligence that Hardie had groomed and sexually abused pupils while working at the school. Officers seized his electronic devices and uncovered sexual messages exchanged between Hardie and a pupil during his time at the institution. The messages formed a crucial part of the evidence that would eventually bring the case to court.

The victim, now a woman in her thirties, was contacted by police and disclosed that the sexual abuse had begun when she was 15 years old. She further reported being raped by Hardie on two occasions after she had left the school. Her account, delivered with what investigators described as remarkable courage, became the cornerstone of the prosecution.

Hardie was arrested and charged with two counts of rape, four counts of indecent assault and three counts of indecency with a child. The trial at Lewes Crown Court concluded on Tuesday, 25 August 2026, with the jury finding him guilty of all but one count of indecency with a child. The verdict represented a significant moment for the victim, who had waited years for her account to be heard in a courtroom.

Speaking to Daily Dazzling Dawn, Detective Constable Rebecca Wilde of Sussex Police said: "The impacts of Hardie's crimes will last a lifetime, which makes the strength and courage shown by the victim all the more remarkable. I would once again like to thank her for trusting us with her report and supporting this investigation. Without her, Hardie would not have been brought to justice. My thanks also extend to the school, who have fully supported this investigation. If you are a victim of sexual offending, no matter how long ago, please report it to us. We will support you, and we will do everything we can to get you the justice you deserve."

At Brighton Crown Court on Monday, 26 October 2026, Judge presiding over the case imposed a custodial sentence of nine years and nine months. In addition to the prison term, Hardie was handed a restraining order against his victims and an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, designed to restrict his access to children and ensure ongoing monitoring upon his eventual release.

The sentence reflects the gravity of offences committed against a child by a person in a position of trust. The court heard how Hardie had exploited his role as a teacher to groom and abuse a pupil, conduct that the sentencing judge described as a profound breach of the trust placed in him by the school, the pupil's family and the wider community.

Bexhill High School, which became Mulberry Academy Bexhill, has cooperated fully with the police investigation. The school has not issued a public statement regarding the conviction, but Sussex Police acknowledged its support throughout the process. The case raises familiar questions about safeguarding practices in schools during the 1990s and 2000s, a period when reporting mechanisms and child protection protocols were less robust than they are today.

Hardie's dismissal in 2007 followed a police caution for grooming a female pupil—a matter that did not result in a criminal conviction at the time but which now forms part of the broader narrative of his conduct. The fact that he was able to continue teaching until that point, and that allegations from an earlier period only surfaced in 2021, underscores the challenges faced by investigators working on historical sexual abuse cases.

Detective Constable Wilde's comments form part of a wider appeal by Sussex Police to victims of sexual offending, encouraging them to come forward regardless of how much time has passed. The force has emphasised that it will pursue historical allegations with the same rigour as contemporary reports, and that specialist officers are available to support victims through the process.

The case also highlights the increasing role of digital evidence in historical abuse investigations. The seizure and forensic examination of Hardie's electronic devices in 2021 provided the breakthrough that led to the victim being contacted and the subsequent prosecution. Without that intelligence, and without the victim's willingness to engage with the investigation, the case may never have reached court.

Reaction in Bexhill to the sentencing has been muted but significant, with local residents expressing shock that a former teacher at a well-known school could have committed such offences over an extended period. The case is expected to prompt further reflection among education authorities about safeguarding practices and the importance of robust vetting and reporting procedures.

Hardie will serve his sentence in custody, with the indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order ensuring that he remains subject to monitoring and restrictions for the rest of his life. The restraining order provides a measure of protection for his victims, who have already demonstrated considerable resilience in coming forward and supporting the prosecution.

Daily Dazzling Dawn will continue to follow developments in this case, including any further statements from Sussex Police, Mulberry Academy Bexhill or the Crown Prosecution Service. Victims of sexual offending are encouraged to contact Sussex Police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.