October 2011 Man, 68, jailed for sex attacks 20 years ago A PENSIONER jailed for a string of sexual assaults against a child told his victim they would never see their family again if they spoke about their ordeal. Douglas Harrison was convicted on Monday at Plymouth Crown Court of four counts of indecent assault, one of indecency with a child and one of attempted rape. Bearded Harrison carried out the attacks 20 years ago on a child under the age of 14. The 68-year-old from Charnhill Close, Plymstock, spent 17 years in the Royal Navy and also ran his own business for over two decades, the court heard. Describing the series of historic incidents, prosecutor David Gittins said the child was “frozen with fear” when subjected to the assaults but was reassured by Harrison saying everything was ok. “The defendant told them they had to keep this a secret and if anyone found out he would be arrested and taken to prison,” said Mr Gittins. “He told his victim they would never see their mum or family again.” Sentencing him at Plymouth Crown Court yesterday, Judge Francis Gilbert said: “It was very serious misconduct, criminal conduct where only a custodial sentence is appropriate.” Harrison was given three years for the indecent assault charges, 16 months for indecency with a child and six years for attempted rape, to run concurrently. He was also ordered to sign on to the sexual offenders register indefinitely.