ANDREW HARVEY FROM ALDERSHOT AND BOURNEMOUTH CONVICTED OF SEXUAL ABUSE ON DAUGHTERS

In a case that has left a community devastated, Andrew Harvey, a man originally from Aldershot and later residing in Bournemouth, has been found guilty of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of his own daughters. The emotional toll on the victims and their family has been profound, with the mother of the girls speaking out about her own feelings of guilt and regret.

The mother, whose identity remains protected for legal reasons, expressed her anguish following Harvey’s conviction at Bournemouth Crown Court. She tearfully admitted that she blames herself for introducing her daughters to Harvey, who exploited their trust and subjected them to sexual abuse. She explained that her own vulnerability, stemming from a period of depression, led her to engage with a chat line where she met Harvey. Unaware of his true nature, she believed he was a kind and genuine person, only to later discover that he was a manipulative predator.

Harvey’s actions, which came to light after a lengthy trial lasting nearly ten hours of jury deliberation, resulted in a series of convictions. The court found him guilty of raping his eldest daughter, as well as indecently assaulting both girls, engaging in indecency with a child, and sexual assault. However, he was acquitted of a second rape charge, attempted rape, and four additional sexual assaults. Throughout the proceedings, Harvey showed no visible emotion as the verdicts were read, while the families of the victims struggled to contain their feelings of anger and sorrow.

Judge Christopher Harvey Clark QC, who remanded Harvey into custody pending pre-sentence reports, emphasized the seriousness of the crimes. He stated, “I regard these matters as sufficiently serious to warrant a substantial custodial sentence. There must be an assessment of dangerousness in this case.”

Following the verdicts, the mother, who cannot be named publicly, shared her harrowing experience. She revealed that she had met Harvey by chance and was initially hesitant to meet him, but his persistent efforts eventually led to their meeting. Harvey’s behavior included frequent visits from Aldershot, during which he showered the family with gifts—an act she now recognizes as a manipulation tactic. Her horror deepened when her daughters confided in her about the abuse, fearing her reaction due to Harvey’s threats that she would commit suicide if she found out.

She recounted how her eldest daughter, now diagnosed with severe post-traumatic stress disorder, had been so traumatized that she refused to sleep in her own bed for years and became increasingly insecure. The girl’s appearance—covering herself in dark clothing—was a stark indicator of her internal suffering, which only made sense after the truth was uncovered. The family has undergone counseling, and they hope that Harvey’s conviction will mark the beginning of their healing process.

In closing, the mother expressed her hope that justice has been served, allowing her family to begin moving forward from the trauma inflicted by Harvey’s actions. The case serves as a stark reminder of how predators can exploit vulnerabilities and manipulate trust, especially through seemingly innocuous means such as chat lines, which can be exploited to target vulnerable individuals and their families.