ALAN HARRIS OF BRIGHOUSE SENTENCED FOR DECADES-OLD CHILD SEX ABUSE CASES IN BRADFORD

In a case that has spanned over several decades, Alan Harris, a 72-year-old resident of Waterloo Road, Brighouse, was sentenced to ten years in prison after being found guilty of multiple charges related to the sexual abuse of young girls. The sentencing took place at Bradford Crown Court, where a jury convicted Harris of molesting two young victims during the 1970s and 1980s, with the court hearing detailed accounts of his misconduct.

According to court proceedings, Harris’s abuse of one girl began when she was just 11 years old. The jury was informed that Harris attempted to rape her, although he was ultimately cleared of the charge of rape itself. Instead, he was convicted of attempted rape, indecent assault, and indecency with a child. The court also learned that Harris indecently assaulted a second girl on a single occasion. During the trial, Harris admitted to a separate incident involving a 15-year-old girl, pleading guilty to indecent assault in that case.

Judge Graham Hyland QC, presiding over the case, detailed the extent of Harris’s misconduct, stating that the abuse spanned from 1975 to 1984. The judge described the systematic nature of the abuse inflicted upon the first girl, emphasizing that Harris subjected her to prolonged and repeated acts of sexual misconduct over several years. The victim, now in her 40s, was present in court and was described as still suffering from the trauma inflicted during her childhood. The judge remarked that her childhood had been significantly marred by Harris’s actions.

Furthermore, the court heard that Harris had indecently assaulted another girl on a single occasion. Harris’s defense team, led by barrister Gillian Batts, attempted to mitigate his actions by highlighting his personal circumstances, including the fact that he had a sick wife who was too unwell to visit him in prison. Harris had expressed remorse, saying he had bid farewell to his wife, knowing he might never see her again.

Following the sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector Terry Long of Calderdale CID commented on the case, noting that justice had been delayed but not denied. He praised the meticulous investigation carried out by his team, which spanned nearly four decades. Long emphasized that despite the passage of time, the police remained committed to pursuing justice for victims of sexual abuse, regardless of how old the allegations might be. He assured the public that the police’s dedicated unit of specially-trained officers continues to take all reports of sexual assault seriously.

In a related development earlier in April 2013, Harris admitted to further misconduct involving a second girl from Brighouse, this time over thirty years ago. Harris confessed to molesting a 15-year-old girl, although he denied more serious allegations such as rape. During his testimony at Bradford Crown Court, Harris acknowledged touching the girl’s breasts and forcing her to perform a sexual act on him. He described his behavior as driven by heavy drinking at the time, claiming that the girl never objected to his actions. Harris expressed shame and disgust for his past conduct, stating that he was aware of the wrongfulness of his actions but felt powerless to stop.

Harris’s defense argued that alcohol played a significant role in his behavior, with Harris himself admitting, “It must have done… I wouldn’t have done that sober.” He also revealed that his misconduct came to light in the late 1980s, prompting him to seek help from a specialist. Harris described his arrest in the previous year as a shock, stating, “I was astounded when the cop came. I said that’s all over and dusted. That’s years and years ago. We’ve got past that… I said there was no rape involved. I’ve never raped anybody.”

Throughout the trial, Harris has denied allegations of rape, indecent assault, and indecency with a child dating back to the late 1970s and 1980s. The case remains ongoing as the court continues to hear evidence and arguments related to these serious accusations.