Mathew Hargreaves 48

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Mathew Hargreaves, 48, from Halewood, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court today, Friday 23 October.

Hargreaves was previously arrested and charged with:

• Make Indecent Images of Children Cat A
• Make Indecent Images of Children Cat B
• Make Indecent Images of Children Cat C

He remained in custody on remand and in September pleaded guilty to a further offence of Taking an Indecent Category C Image of a Child.

Hargreaves was also issued with a 10-Year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and must register on the Sex Offender Register for 10 years.

In excerpts from a Victim Personal Statement, one of the victims said:

“I saw the photo and it was a lot worse than I thought… it’s made me feel sick to think about. I feel like I am on edge now, like I always need to be alert.

“The actual image is disgusting and it makes me feel sick it was taken on his birthday, why has he taken that on his birthday? It had never crossed my mind it was taken on his birthday.

“How many people have seen it, why did he take it? My biggest fear out of them all is where he shared it, how many people - if he has - did he share it with? What was his intention with that image?”

Detective Sergeant Viktorija Clarehugh from our Online Child Abuse Investigations Team said:

“Despite his initial denials, we were able to prove that Hargreaves downloaded and was in possession of indecent images, including those in the most serious category. Concerningly, Hargreaves held a position of responsibility at a Liverpool school, but robust safeguarding measures ensured that he was immediately suspended from his duties following his arrest. 

“Hargreaves’ insistence that these images somehow came into his possession by accident have been shown to be the desperate lies of a man who realised too late the consequences of his abhorrent crimes. His personal and professional disgrace is complete and I hope that today’s outcome provides some comfort for all of those affected by Hargreaves’ crimes.

“Behind all indecent images is a victim of abuse. Possessing, taking or distributing such images perpetrates the exploitation of children, and we are determined to keep identifying and putting before the courts those responsible.”