GEORGE PRIME'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN HEREFORD AND LONDON REVEALED

In February 2014, Geoffrey Prime, now aged 76, resides quietly in sheltered accommodation within a suburb of South London. His daily routine involves receiving meals on wheels and being cared for by nursing staff, a stark contrast to his notorious past. Despite his current peaceful existence, the shadow of his criminal activities continues to cast a long pall over his life.

Back in March 2001, Prime was released from prison after serving only half of his original sentence, a decision that sparked considerable controversy. His history is marked by a series of heinous crimes and espionage activities that shocked the nation and drew international attention. Prime, who was once a key agent for Moscow operating within Britain, was sentenced in November 1982 to 35 years behind bars after admitting to selling secrets to the Russians for a span of 14 years. His espionage activities included passing sensitive information from locations such as Vienna, Berlin, Potsdam, East Germany, and London, which caused significant damage to national security.

Prime’s criminal record is further marred by a conviction for indecent assault on three young girls, including a 14-year-old girl from Herefordshire. His predatory behavior was uncovered when he contacted the girl, claiming to be a 'Mr Williams,' and then visited her home the following day under the guise of a painter and decorator. His actions escalated to sexual assault, during which he threatened her with a tin opener and left her distressed and crying. This incident was part of a broader pattern of disturbing behavior, as Prime had also been involved with the Paedophile Information Exchange (PIE), maintaining a card index of 2,287 young girls whom he targeted through phone calls.

Prime’s modus operandi involved meticulous planning. He would scour local newspapers for images of girls in school or Brownie uniforms, or those photographed at events like sports or music awards. Using directory inquiries, he obtained their family phone numbers and would then call their homes, posing as a workman or decorator. His first known victim was just 11 years old in 1980, when he called her pretending to be a plumber. After establishing she was alone, he visited her house, threatened her, and sexually assaulted her. The girl was left visibly shaken and crying after the attack.

Over the next few years, Prime continued his predatory campaign. In 1981, he stalked a 13-year-old girl, calling her repeatedly and then visiting her home when her parents were away. Disguised as a decorator, he attempted to gain her trust but became violent when she refused his advances, tying a handkerchief over his face and grabbing her by the neck. He then threatened her and assaulted her sexually. The following year, he targeted a 14-year-old girl, again posing as a decorator, and when she refused to cooperate, he threatened her with a bottle opener before assaulting her. His departure was hastened by her screams, which alerted neighbors and prompted a police manhunt.

Authorities quickly identified Prime’s distinctive two-tone Ford Cortina, which was seen near the scene of the attacks. Police traced the vehicle to his residence, a cottage he shared with his wife, Rhona. Despite his arrogance and denial of the allegations, Prime’s wife, a devout Christian, confronted him after police left. Under her questioning, he confessed to his sexual preferences for underage girls, his links with PIE, and his espionage activities. This confession led to a thorough police search of their home, uncovering notepads with secret messages for the KGB, invisible ink, and cash deposits.

Prime’s arrest and subsequent court proceedings revealed the extent of his betrayal and criminality. During three days of intense interrogation at Gloucester prison, Detective Chief Inspector Picken of the West Mercia police secured Prime’s confession as a Soviet spy. He was charged with espionage and three counts of sexual offenses involving young girls. The court heard that Prime was attracted to girls aged ten to fifteen, and his activities included grooming and sexually assaulting multiple victims.

His case drew widespread media attention and prompted parliamentary questions about the presence of other PIE members under surveillance. The organization, which had campaigned for the acceptance of paedophiles as 'child lovers' and sought to abolish the age of consent, was linked to broader debates about child protection and civil liberties. Prime was sentenced to 38 years in prison, with the judge condemning him as a calculating spy and a sexual predator. The court emphasized the severity of his crimes, both against national security and innocent children.

Despite his early release in 2001, Prime’s life remains under scrutiny. He is now registered on the sex offenders’ register, and authorities have indicated that the Parole Board considers him no longer a threat to children. Police found a collection of PIE contact magazines in his garage, containing material advocating for paedophiles’ rights, alongside Soviet espionage gadgets. His past actions have left a lasting scar on the community of Hereford, where he once targeted young girls, and on the national consciousness regarding child safety and espionage.

Today, neighbors observe that Prime rarely leaves his residence, having previously visited local leisure centers to swim and exercise. The proximity of a children’s center and playground near his home serves as a haunting reminder of the dark chapter of the 1970s and 1980s, when figures like Harman and others in influential organizations appeared to lend legitimacy to the activities of men like Geoffrey Prime, whose crimes shocked the nation and exposed the dark underbelly of societal complacency.