ALAN HARRISON SENTENCED FOR CHILD RAPE AND INDECENT IMAGES IN HONINGTON, SUFFOLK
| Red Rose Database
Honington Rapist
In September 2012, Alan Harrison, a serviceman stationed at RAF Honington in west Suffolk, was handed a severe prison sentence after admitting to a series of heinous crimes involving a young girl. The court heard that Harrison, who was 43 years old at the time, had engaged in a disturbing pattern of sexual abuse against a girl aged 15 or younger, committing this abuse on nine separate occasions.
Throughout the trial at Ipswich Crown Court, it was revealed that Harrison’s obsession with his young victim was both disturbing and calculated. He would sometimes supply her with alcohol to lower her inhibitions and would pay her £5 along with giving her 20 cigarettes each time he engaged in sexual activity with her. These acts demonstrated a calculated effort to manipulate and exploit the girl, who was vulnerable due to her age.
The prosecution, led by Christopher Paxton, detailed that Harrison’s misconduct extended beyond physical abuse. On one occasion, he purchased a sex toy for the girl, along with other gifts such as underwear, further illustrating his predatory behavior. During the period of abuse, Harrison maintained relentless contact with the girl through a barrage of text messages and phone calls, attempting to maintain control and silence her fears.
Judge David Goodin, presiding over the case, sentenced Harrison to 12 years in prison. In his remarks, the judge condemned the gravity of the offenses, stating, “You committed offences of unimaginable gravity in abusing her as you did repeatedly, sustainedly and systematically. This sexual activity was unprotected. It included, on occasion, the application of alcohol to ease the path to which you subjected her. It would be difficult, in my judgment, to imagine more serious offences against a little girl.”
Furthermore, the court addressed the disturbing evidence of indecent images involving the girl and Harrison. Judge Goodin described these images as “an outrageous indignity for a little girl to deal with,” emphasizing the severity of the violation.
Harrison’s legal representative, Charles Myatt, acknowledged his client’s full admission of guilt, stating that Harrison accepted the victim’s account without denial, excuse, or justification. Myatt expressed that Harrison wished to make amends in any way possible, recognizing the profound harm caused.
In addition to the nine counts of rape and the possession of indecent images, Harrison also pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault by penetration. The court responded by imposing a sexual offences prevention order with no fixed end date and mandated that Harrison be registered as a sex offender, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to protect the public from further harm.
Throughout the trial at Ipswich Crown Court, it was revealed that Harrison’s obsession with his young victim was both disturbing and calculated. He would sometimes supply her with alcohol to lower her inhibitions and would pay her £5 along with giving her 20 cigarettes each time he engaged in sexual activity with her. These acts demonstrated a calculated effort to manipulate and exploit the girl, who was vulnerable due to her age.
The prosecution, led by Christopher Paxton, detailed that Harrison’s misconduct extended beyond physical abuse. On one occasion, he purchased a sex toy for the girl, along with other gifts such as underwear, further illustrating his predatory behavior. During the period of abuse, Harrison maintained relentless contact with the girl through a barrage of text messages and phone calls, attempting to maintain control and silence her fears.
Judge David Goodin, presiding over the case, sentenced Harrison to 12 years in prison. In his remarks, the judge condemned the gravity of the offenses, stating, “You committed offences of unimaginable gravity in abusing her as you did repeatedly, sustainedly and systematically. This sexual activity was unprotected. It included, on occasion, the application of alcohol to ease the path to which you subjected her. It would be difficult, in my judgment, to imagine more serious offences against a little girl.”
Furthermore, the court addressed the disturbing evidence of indecent images involving the girl and Harrison. Judge Goodin described these images as “an outrageous indignity for a little girl to deal with,” emphasizing the severity of the violation.
Harrison’s legal representative, Charles Myatt, acknowledged his client’s full admission of guilt, stating that Harrison accepted the victim’s account without denial, excuse, or justification. Myatt expressed that Harrison wished to make amends in any way possible, recognizing the profound harm caused.
In addition to the nine counts of rape and the possession of indecent images, Harrison also pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault by penetration. The court responded by imposing a sexual offences prevention order with no fixed end date and mandated that Harrison be registered as a sex offender, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to protect the public from further harm.