GEORGE HARRIS FROM IPSWICH AND STEVENAGE SENTENCED FOR UNDERAGE SEX OFFENSES

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Ipswich and Stevenage, Geoffrey Harris, a man with no fixed address who originally hails from Stevenage in Hertfordshire, has been sentenced to nearly seven years in prison for engaging in sexual activities with a schoolgirl when she was underage. The incident, which took place between 2005 and 2008, came to light after Harris was living in Ipswich at the time of his arrest in June.

Harris, aged 53 and unemployed, faced five separate charges related to his inappropriate conduct with the young girl. He pleaded guilty to all charges during his appearance at Ipswich Crown Court in August, leading to his remand in custody while awaiting sentencing. The court proceedings revealed the gravity of the offenses and the extensive investigation that was carried out to establish the facts.

Detective Sergeant Darren Bruce, the Senior Investigating Officer in the case, publicly commended the bravery of the victim, stating, “The girl involved in this sexual abuse has been honest and very courageous during this difficult and lengthy investigation. We have had to conduct an extremely intrusive examination of her life in order to demonstrate that the evidence against Geoffrey Harris was undisputable.”

He further acknowledged the support the victim received from her family and friends, emphasizing the emotional toll such cases take on those close to the victim. “She has had outstanding support from her family and friends who have not only had to support their loved one, but also to deal with the ordeal of knowing their child has been subjected to this awful offence,” said Detective Sergeant Bruce.

As a result of his conviction, Geoffrey Harris was sentenced to six years and nine months in prison. Additionally, he has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities. A Sex Offences Prevention Order, which had been previously issued following an earlier conviction, remains in effect, further restricting Harris’s conduct and contact with minors. The case underscores the importance of vigilance and the justice system’s commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals from sexual abuse.