HARRY BARTON BRISTOL SEX OFFENDER SENTENCED TO 21 YEARS FOR PREDATORY CRIMES AGAINST TEENAGERS
| Red Rose Database
Bristol Sexual Abuser
A man identified as Harry Barton, who was residing in Bristol at the time, has been convicted of a series of heinous sexual offenses involving teenage girls. The court proceedings revealed that Barton, then in his late teens, engaged in manipulative and predatory behavior by creating a false online identity to lure and threaten young victims.
According to court reports, Barton adopted the pseudonym A9 on social media platforms, where he employed tactics of intimidation and coercion to satisfy his sexual desires. The victims, some as young as 14, were manipulated into performing sexual acts on camera and subjected to physical abuse, including whipping. Barton’s threats of harm and repercussions played a significant role in forcing compliance, with one victim being tied to a bed and raped when she was only 14. This particular incident was further compounded by threats of violence if she refused to continue.
It was later uncovered that the individual behind the A9 persona was, in fact, Harry Barton himself. The court described him as a 'predatory, extremely manipulative and extremely dangerous' individual, emphasizing the severity of his actions and the threat he posed to young people.
In total, Barton, now aged 20 and without a fixed address, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including meeting a child following sexual grooming, two counts of rape involving a 14-year-old girl, and three counts of rape involving a 16-year-old girl. The judge, Euan Ambrose, sentenced him to a lengthy term of 21 years in prison, comprising 16 years of incarceration and an additional five years on extended licence. The judge’s remarks underscored the gravity of Barton’s conduct, stating, “Your behaviour was predatory and extremely manipulative. I am in no doubt that you are extremely dangerous.”
Furthermore, Barton was subjected to a restraining order that prohibits him from contacting certain individuals, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order aimed at preventing future offenses, and was mandated to register as a sex offender for life. These measures reflect the court’s recognition of the ongoing risk Barton poses to the community.
Prosecutor Mark Worsley highlighted that Barton’s use of social media under the guise of A9 was central to his predatory tactics. The court heard that Barton tied one victim to a bed and raped her when she was just 14, threatening her with further harm unless she complied. The victim was coerced into allowing Barton to whip her during the abuse, which was recorded and later disclosed when she confided in her teachers.
Another victim, also aged 14, was contacted by A9, who falsely claimed to be a hacker and asked her to find information about an older man. She was coerced into sending a topless photograph, and Barton claimed that A9 had threatened her with death if she did not perform on camera. Her mother intervened before any further harm could occur, leading to police involvement.
The third victim, aged 16, was manipulated into believing that A9 had implanted a heat sensor to monitor her sexual activity. She was pressured into having sex with Barton and was told that A9 would make her life a living hell if she refused.
Emma Martin, representing Barton as his solicitor, expressed remorse on his behalf. She revealed that Barton, who has autism and ADHD, was devastated by his actions and deeply regretful. Barton reportedly stated, “I can't express how sorry I am, an apology doesn't cut it. What I've done you can't forgive. I lay awake at night, I'm horrified by the things I've done. All of it is inhumane and horrific.”
Throughout the trial, it was noted that Barton extensively used social media to communicate with his victims, employing the A9 pseudonym to intimidate and manipulate them. The judge emphasized the seriousness of his crimes, labeling him a sexual predator, and handed down a sentence that reflects the gravity of his offenses and the danger he continues to pose to society.
According to court reports, Barton adopted the pseudonym A9 on social media platforms, where he employed tactics of intimidation and coercion to satisfy his sexual desires. The victims, some as young as 14, were manipulated into performing sexual acts on camera and subjected to physical abuse, including whipping. Barton’s threats of harm and repercussions played a significant role in forcing compliance, with one victim being tied to a bed and raped when she was only 14. This particular incident was further compounded by threats of violence if she refused to continue.
It was later uncovered that the individual behind the A9 persona was, in fact, Harry Barton himself. The court described him as a 'predatory, extremely manipulative and extremely dangerous' individual, emphasizing the severity of his actions and the threat he posed to young people.
In total, Barton, now aged 20 and without a fixed address, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including meeting a child following sexual grooming, two counts of rape involving a 14-year-old girl, and three counts of rape involving a 16-year-old girl. The judge, Euan Ambrose, sentenced him to a lengthy term of 21 years in prison, comprising 16 years of incarceration and an additional five years on extended licence. The judge’s remarks underscored the gravity of Barton’s conduct, stating, “Your behaviour was predatory and extremely manipulative. I am in no doubt that you are extremely dangerous.”
Furthermore, Barton was subjected to a restraining order that prohibits him from contacting certain individuals, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order aimed at preventing future offenses, and was mandated to register as a sex offender for life. These measures reflect the court’s recognition of the ongoing risk Barton poses to the community.
Prosecutor Mark Worsley highlighted that Barton’s use of social media under the guise of A9 was central to his predatory tactics. The court heard that Barton tied one victim to a bed and raped her when she was just 14, threatening her with further harm unless she complied. The victim was coerced into allowing Barton to whip her during the abuse, which was recorded and later disclosed when she confided in her teachers.
Another victim, also aged 14, was contacted by A9, who falsely claimed to be a hacker and asked her to find information about an older man. She was coerced into sending a topless photograph, and Barton claimed that A9 had threatened her with death if she did not perform on camera. Her mother intervened before any further harm could occur, leading to police involvement.
The third victim, aged 16, was manipulated into believing that A9 had implanted a heat sensor to monitor her sexual activity. She was pressured into having sex with Barton and was told that A9 would make her life a living hell if she refused.
Emma Martin, representing Barton as his solicitor, expressed remorse on his behalf. She revealed that Barton, who has autism and ADHD, was devastated by his actions and deeply regretful. Barton reportedly stated, “I can't express how sorry I am, an apology doesn't cut it. What I've done you can't forgive. I lay awake at night, I'm horrified by the things I've done. All of it is inhumane and horrific.”
Throughout the trial, it was noted that Barton extensively used social media to communicate with his victims, employing the A9 pseudonym to intimidate and manipulate them. The judge emphasized the seriousness of his crimes, labeling him a sexual predator, and handed down a sentence that reflects the gravity of his offenses and the danger he continues to pose to society.