Port Stephens dance teacher Ryan Hards has bail variation granted to live in Newcastle

Ryan Shane Hards, who has pleaded not guilty to seven charges relating to five alleged victims, has made a bail variation in court. Read the details.

Port Stephens dance teacher Ryan Shane Hards, who is facing seven charges involving five alleged victims, will make the move back to the Hunter.

The 28-year-old had a bail variation successfully granted in Newcastle’s District Court on Friday which allows him to be able to live in Newcastle.

It follows a recent bail variation in early July where Hards was granted permission to live in the Sydney suburb of Wheeler Heights.

Ryan Shane Hards has pleaded not guilty to abusing dance students. Picture: Facebook.

He will continue to be subject to strict bail conditions, including reporting three days a week, not entering Port Stephens unless for the purpose of driving directly to his sister’s home, not being in the company of any person under 18 unless in the company of a person aged over 25, and not entering a licensed premises between the hours of 8pm and 6am.

A further condition imposed on Friday means he must not enter the suburb of New Lambton except for an emergency.

Hards is committed to stand trial after pleading not guilty to seven offences including three counts of indecent assault of a person under 16 years and one count each of aggravated sexual assault – victim under the age of 16 years; assault with an act of indecency, sexual intercourse with person aged over 17 but under 18 and common assault.

Hards has pleaded not guilty to seven charges. Picture: Facebook.

Hards was arrested by Strike Force Waikarei detectives last year following an investigation into his alleged inappropriate behaviour against students.

There is also a possibility his trial could be moved to Sydney, with prosecutors expecting it could run up to three weeks in length, with around 25 witnesses planned to be called.

With a packed court calendar in Newcastle, a three-week trial may not be able to be heard until the second half of 2023.

Last month, The Newcastle News also reported that prosecutors were awaiting feedback on the possibility of laying a further charge against Hards in relation to an alleged offence occurring on a cruise ship in international waters.

He is due to be formally arraigned in Newcastle on August 18.