Port Stephens dance teacher Ryan Shane Hards pleads not guilty to seven charges

Prosecutors have told a court they were awaiting approval for a further charge to be laid against Ryan Shane Hards for an offence allegedly committed in international waters.

Prosecutors are awaiting approval from the Attorney-General’s Department to lay a further charge against Port Stephens dance teacher Ryan Shane Hards relating to an alleged offence being committed in international waters, a court has heard.

Hards, 28, was committed in Newcastle Local Court on Wednesday to stand trial in Newcastle District Court after pleading not guilty to seven offences.

A further five charges had been previously withdrawn by prosecutors.

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

Ryan Shane Hards has pleaded not guilty to seven charges and will face trial. Picture: Facebook.

The court heard on Wednesday that prosecutors were awaiting approval from the Attorney-General’s Department for an ex-officio indictment to be laid against Hards for an offence that allegedly occurred “in international waters“.

Hards, who was in court for the brief appearance, will next appear in Newcastle District Court on May 26 for arraignment.

A trial date would be set in due course.

He has pleaded not guilty to seven charges including three counts of indecent assault 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.

He remains on bail.

Hards co-owned and worked as artistic director at The Collective Dance Academy at the time of his arrest, but the offences are alleged to have occurred at a different dance school in another part of Port Stephens.