Reviews
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“I thought this was a real thought-provoking podcast and an interesting case. Some of the reviews here seem to be made by people who have very little knowledge of real world journalism. The mother is entitled to be heard, I don’t agree with what she said and it made me angry but it is not the...”Read full review »
Xxna03xx via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
03/24/24
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“Sirin is a wonderful interviewer and so very patient with Donna who is the most frustrating human I’ve ever listened to.
Donna should be prosecuted for enabling her vindictive child and placing blame on victims.
Matthew is an awful person who victimized hundreds of people for his own selfish...”Read full review »
PfreakingC via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/23/24
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“This was a good and necessary series. It really puts into perspective how underestimated the effects of stalking, online and IRL, are. It is shocking to hear how long, how many victims, and how much police attention (and neglect) it took for this case to get the treatment it deserved.
My one...”Read full review »
Kitaah via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
02/20/24
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“Way too much misinformation about autism from non-autistic people. This series could have been so much more insightful and effective with more collaboration with autistic people who have expertise and experience in the specific issues at hand. Talking to autistic people who have themselves...”Read full review »
kabamshazam via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
02/13/24
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“Firstly, the “reporter” has no business being a reporter. Secondly, who the hell produced this pile of garbage? Helen Keller? It’s so unbelievably tone deaf and the bias is so off the charts I almost lost consciousness. This is a podcast about the victims of years long stalking, yet, she...”Read full review »
yournightmxre__ via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
02/09/24
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“I started listening to this podcast after hearing an advert for it on a different show. I’d not actually come across this story before and it intrigued me. Very interesting case on online stalking and its ramifications but personally and legally. Definitely worth a listen”
lizzie2609 via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
02/02/24
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“I hadn’t actually heard of this story before. The actions of Matthew are deplorable and iam really concerned about his release from prison and going straight back to his old ways! I also found the part with his mother really hard to listen to and felt myself getting angry at her absolute lack of...”Read full review »
Pinky-bun via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
01/30/24
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“This series grabbed me from the very beginning - Matthew Hardy’s actions against so many women and their friends, employers and families were insidious and devastating. While I understand that he was bullied in school and has special needs, it doesn’t excuse what he did to destroy these womens’...”Read full review »
wlwise1 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
01/04/24
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“Cannot believe what this guy did. Amazing how quickly a life is ruined because of a stalker.”
David Rhys via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
12/29/23
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“Shocking story of a serial stalkers ability to ruin & torment the lives of his victims, aided by inept policing & their refusal to act.”
redderdevil via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
12/07/23
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“This was unexpectedly gripping, but I was so angry on the victim's behalf! The leniency shown to the culprit was astonishing.”Read full review »
UrsulaWasFramed88 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/01/23
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“I found this story shocking; that someone who has made countless women’s lives a living hell and caused them lifelong PTSD could wreak this havoc for so many years before finally being stopped (for now). The impact on these women and their families is immense. It was very hard to listen to his...”Read full review »
Cazza J G via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
09/29/23
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“What was the point of this podcast? It felt like it was created purely to excuse the actions of the stalker. The interview with the mother was appalling: it was everyone else’s fault that her son committed crimes, she and the father couldn’t possibly have funded support for him, and of course...”Read full review »
HaHaBhog via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
09/29/23
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“I am really enjoying this podcast, I was so sad listening to his Mum and her disbelief that he had ‘harmed people’. She is in denial. I can’t buy thing that he will continue when released even if in supportive living as it falls so short of what is needed.”
Alimatron via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
09/15/23
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“Really well done, but I can’t help but feel that in pursuit of being “polite” or overly “understanding” of every side, the actual hard lines that CAN be drawn were overly blurred.
Yes, look at every perspective and try to understand them- but understanding also means understanding when someone...”Read full review »
Btp113 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/12/23
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“Thoroughly enjoyed this podcast. So well researched and very balanced. Raises some timely issues regarding cyber abuse and what’s been done to address it as law enforcement struggles to catch up . Also highlights the lack of support for both people with mental disabilities which may have helped...”Read full review »
Español3 via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
08/23/23
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“there was too much sympathy and leniency for this stalker! He stole a woman’s nude photos and impersonated her! He broke up relationships and ruined lives! He should have been charged for sexual crimes too. The mother is clearly complicit in how her son turned out. The only one in their right...”Read full review »
hyperberry via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/22/23
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“Vocal fry of the podcaster and some interviewees is so distracting . Just speak normally because you can hear you can .”
Tanoragirl via Apple Podcasts ·
Ireland ·
08/11/23
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“Very good and so very well presented, your patience as a journalist is commendable. I did keep thinking my Alexa was going off too! Like others have said the Mother was excruciating to listen too and I feel very strongly that she should take some responsibility for Matthews actions. Look forward...”Read full review »
Crashboy37 via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
08/03/23
“This podcast delves into a relatively high-profile case of cyberstalking in the UK; but it does so in a manner that doesn’t just vilify the culprit. It explores some of the circumstances that may have contributed to the events, and addresses some of the nuances around culpability. It also asks...”Read full review »
Canadian Doc via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
07/26/23
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“Really sympathetic writing and narration of a story that has hidden moral dilemmas and more depth than a listener expects at the outset. I hope the Guardian makes more podcasts.”
goorooo via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
07/21/23
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“Good reporting, a cautionary tale. Was hard to listen to his mom though. She’s still in denial. She probably feels like she’s helping him, but full accountability is the first step. I hear a lot of excuses and victim blaming. Autism is something to take into account, yes. It’s NOT a reason people...”Read full review »
ChaPaTi79 via Apple Podcasts ·
Netherlands ·
07/16/23
“Be careful what you wish for - there are two sides to being the centre of attention. Overall, a pretty boring podcast that has little substance.
The “croaky voice” narration is really hard to listen to. Swing and a miss.”
Muzzaahhh via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
06/15/23
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“Brilliant podcast, great editing and great journalism. They got information from all sides which is rare to see. Episode 5 is a very hard listen, the mother is victim blaming and minimising everything Matthew has done. She doesn’t understand how the victims are really effected as nothing physical...”Read full review »
a.dot mills via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
06/12/23
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“Dear lord. I had to skip past Matt’s mum as her interview is revolting on multiple levels.”
Only Sane Floridian via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
06/06/23
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“Well written. Good story. Enjoyed this podcast.”
fd85114 via Apple Podcasts ·
Ireland ·
06/05/23
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“Very well researched, well told and looked at from all angles.”
AnkurD2 via Apple Podcasts ·
India ·
05/04/23
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“Very well described, with the viewpoints clearly examined from all angles. A very fair niece of journalism. I did keep thinking my Alexa was going off though which was the background sound track. 😂🤦🏼♀️Still loved it though. Thank you.”
The_Jazzman via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
05/01/23
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“Host falls all over herself in an attempt to reduce stigma around autism. Yeah yeah, we know, get on with it!”
Klballard via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
04/14/23
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“His mom is in denial and continually minimizes her sons culpability while at the same time victim blames the woman he has harassed. I with the host would have pushed his mother harder but it’s well balanced.”
Robin-83 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/07/23
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“Amazing podcast. Listened to it all in one go. Would LOVE for his equally vile mother to be thrown in with him to see out his sentence. I’ve never felt so angry listening to a podcast before!”
Vaselinevictoria via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
03/31/23
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“Listening to the mother of this absolute monster blame everyone else but her son for his actions, minimise the impact on his victims and bemoan how difficult it has been for her with absolutely NO consideration for the victims, has been really difficult.
Only on episode 4 at the moment it hope...”Read full review »
Kris CG via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
03/30/23
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“Overall this podcast is worth a listen but it made me incredibly angry. The mother of the perpetrator makes excuse after excuse for her son. How can she say his behaviour was ‘infantile’, ‘silly’ and ‘never really harmed anyone’? The victim blaming was off the scale- suggesting the women...”Read full review »
no name #11 via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
03/22/23
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“I’m always on the lookout for a great podcast and am pleased I’ve come across this one. It’s so captivating but told in a way that is so sensitive and considerate of the victims.”
qyeoeuwjs via Apple Podcasts ·
New Zealand ·
03/16/23
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“Very important topic, tackled with care and sensitivity. However, struggled with background noise and special effects, a continuous distraction. Otherwise would have been 5 stars.”
Must B Easier via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
03/16/23
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“HUGE problem. Paying his bills - he doesn’t have to hold down a job. Blaming his autism. She doesn’t get it, no matter how many times she claims to.”
Fern415 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/12/23
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“Meticulously produced but marred by blatant, ideology-moulded editorialising and an unfortunate proclivity for either-or, monster-victim explanations. By the final episodes the presenter kept reminding me of Jane Austen’s Emma: imposing a narrative on all around her but too convinced of her own...”Read full review »
Aleksandra Tintinfan i UK via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
03/05/23
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“There’s obviously an art to creating podcast content - it’s part theatre part journalism and the production team tread a fine line here.
I definitely felt like there could have been more exploration around the way people behave on social media (alluded to but never full discussed) but then, would...”Read full review »
Leah-loves-to-shop via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
03/03/23
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“This series was riveting. Very well researched and the comments about the narrator are completely mystifying to me. Well done and thank you!”
OpenMindedCompassion via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
02/24/23
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“Wow. She is a huge part of the problem”
goooookjgfdc via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
02/16/23
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“This was a fantastic podcast. I have to say that your interview with Matthews mother infuriated me. She completely disregarded all the pain and suffering HER SON caused. She’s completely delusional. For 10 years her son continually harassed and stalked women. She knew everything he was doing but...”Read full review »
ALLJ80 via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
02/02/23
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“Great podcast but I found the style of presenting far too annoying.
The unnecessary pauses between each word did not add drama, only annoyance.
It’s a shame as it took away from the body of the podcast.
Also, she did constantly pronounce the word ‘school’ and ‘scrool’ which was irritating.”
cass'smum via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
01/30/23
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“I appreciate when podcasts don’t pad out episodes with repetition. This one is very to the point.
I appreciate that there are a number of people criticising the inclusion of the interview with Donna because of her victim blaming comments. I certainly agree that they’re awful, but it was...”Read full review »
Jess and Pickles via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
01/28/23
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“I love the presentation and research.”
jojojo777G via Apple Podcasts ·
Australia ·
01/25/23
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“I found this podcast extremely interesting and a great insight into the horrendous effects of online abuse. The objectivity and different views presented were a good balance, and it helped to understand the struggles of the various parties involved. I found Episode 5, the interview with...”Read full review »
Changemname___1234 via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
01/17/23
“And I listen to a lot!
I really enjoyed the structure of this podcast I found it really clear - which a lot aren’t
Really well produced and well balanced
A fantastic piece of work”
Lulu and family via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
01/12/23
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“Loved the story but struggled a lot with some of the background sounds which is why I didn’t give 5 stars. One in particular sounds like an Alexa alarm going off constantly, so distracting and annoying.
Donna is absolutely delusional. Imagine victim blaming like that. No that’s not “ every day...”Read full review »
please no via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
01/03/23
“Listening to what happened to those people was so sad. It was good research but the woman telling the story would say a word then wait 3 seconds before saying another; it was so strange. Never heard a narration like that before - almost like she forgot what she was going to say?? Or maybe bad...”Read full review »
jackiejordan68 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
01/01/23
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“Really enjoyed this series. Listened to every one. Thank you.”
Hazelnut66 via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
12/31/22
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