DAVID HARLEY SENTENCED IN STAFFORD FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES INVOLVING TEEN GIRLS

In February 2011, a serious case of grooming and sexual misconduct involving a prominent figure from Stafford came to light, leading to a significant legal judgment. David Harley, a full-time paramedic and a leader within the St John Ambulance organization, was sentenced to 40 months in prison after being found guilty of multiple serious charges related to his interactions with underage girls.

Harley, aged 25 and residing on Salt Road in Stafford, was accused of engaging in inappropriate and illegal conduct with a 15-year-old girl. The Stafford Crown Court heard that Harley had initiated contact with the girl through internet text messaging, specifically via MSN Messenger, beginning in April 2008. Over the following months, their conversations became increasingly sexual in nature. By August of that year, the girl had complied with Harley’s requests for explicit photographs, sending him a picture of her breasts, while Harley reciprocated by sending a photograph of his private parts at her request.

According to the prosecution, Harley’s misconduct escalated when he invited the girl to his house in Stafford. He instructed her to keep their meeting secret, and shortly after her arrival, she called her mother to ask if she could stay overnight at a friend’s house, ostensibly to cover her tracks. Despite this, Harley spent the night with her, and the court was told that they engaged in sexual acts, including oral sex, after consuming alcohol—half a bottle of vodka they drank together. The incident was only uncovered months later when the girl’s mother discovered the MSN messages on her daughter’s computer, revealing the extent of Harley’s inappropriate behavior.

At the time of these events, Harley was under probation with the St John Ambulance, having previously been suspended due to complaints about his conduct towards a fellow girl cadet. Despite this suspension, he was later allowed to return to his role under probation, which did not prevent him from continuing his misconduct. The court also learned that Harley was involved in a legal sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl, also a cadet within the same organization. While it was lawful for him to have sex with her, the law prohibited him from taking indecent photographs of her, which he did.

During the trial, Harley admitted to causing a child to engage in sexual activity, engaging in sexual acts with the 15-year-old girl, and taking indecent photographs of the 17-year-old girl. The prosecution highlighted that Harley’s actions were not only illegal but also deeply damaging to the victims. The girl who was 15 expressed feelings of shame, humiliation, confusion, and anger in her victim impact statement, revealing the emotional toll of Harley’s actions.

Harley’s defense argued that he did not intentionally groom the girl and claimed that she was making her feelings clear, which flattered him. His lawyer also pointed out that Harley had lost his job as a paramedic with Ambuline, a role he had aspired to for his entire life, and that he understood he would never work in that capacity again. However, the judge, Mr. Justice Maxwell, dismissed these mitigating factors, emphasizing that the age difference and Harley’s prior conduct made his actions particularly egregious.

Judge Maxwell stated that Harley’s attempt to shift blame onto the victims was unacceptable and clarified that Harley’s relationship with the 17-year-old girl involved illegal activities, as the photographs taken were unlawful. The judge also made it clear that Harley’s work with children was permanently terminated, and he was ordered to register as a sex offender for life. Additionally, Harley was subjected to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which included strict restrictions on forming friendships with under-18s and having minors in his residence. The court’s decision was unequivocal: Harley was to never again work with children, and his association with the St John Ambulance was permanently severed.