Former Bexhill Teacher Convicted Of Raping And Sexually Abusing Pupil

A former Bexhill High School teacher has been convicted of rape and multiple sexual offences against a former pupil.

Steven Hardie, 65, of Woodsgate Park in Bexhill, taught science at the school between 1991 and 2007.

Sussex Police began investigating in 2021 after receiving information about historic sexual abuse. Officers subsequently found sexual messages between Hardie and a pupil from his time at the school.

The victim, now in her 30s, told police the abuse began when she was 15 and that Hardie raped her twice after she had left the school.

Following a trial at Lewes Crown Court, Hardie was found guilty of two counts of rape, four counts of indecent assault and two counts of indecency with a child. He was cleared of a further count of indecency with a child.

Hardie has been remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced at Lewes Crown Court on Monday 26th October.

Detective Constable Rebecca Wilde said Hardie had used his position of trust to “manipulate and prey on a teenage girl”.