JASON HARKER FROM BRADFORD SENTENCED FOR CHILD PORNOGRAPHY AND SEX OFFENCES

In a case that has shocked the community of Bradford, Jason Harker, aged 24, was found guilty of possessing and storing indecent images of young boys, including explicit photographs, on his mobile devices. The incident came to light after a man, who was engaged in a gay text and meeting service, reported Harker to the police following a disturbing exchange.

According to court proceedings held at Bradford Crown Court, Harker, residing on Station Road in Steeton, pleaded guilty to the possession of a total of 18 indecent images of boys across two mobile phones. The court heard that nine of these images were classified at the second highest level of seriousness, indicating a significant concern for the nature of the content.

The investigation revealed that the communication between Harker and the man began in 2009. The man, who operated a gay text and meeting service, became alarmed after Harker suggested engaging in a sexual session with a ten-year-old boy during their exchanges. This prompted the man to report Harker to authorities, leading to his arrest.

Harker was detained on December 31 of that year after police traced his mobile phone number. His phone was subsequently seized, and further examination uncovered sexually explicit text messages and 14 images depicting boys as young as eight years old. The court was informed that while Harker was on bail, he continued to store four additional pornographic images of children on a second phone, raising further concerns about his ongoing conduct.

During the hearing, Judge Peter Benson questioned the delay in the police investigation, specifically asking prosecutor Heather Gilmore to clarify why it took nine months to uncover the 14 indecent images on Harker’s original device. The judge described this delay as “an inordinate length of time,” highlighting concerns about the investigation process.

Harker’s legal representative, Stephen Wood, argued that the number of images was small and emphasized that Harker had not downloaded the images himself; they had all been sent to him. He also pointed out that Harker had no prior convictions related to such offences and had not distributed any of the images.

Despite these arguments, Judge Benson expressed concern over the fact that Harker continued to store indecent images of children even after his arrest and while on bail. As part of his sentencing, Harker was ordered to participate in a Sex Offender Treatment Programme and was given a three-year community order with supervision. Additionally, he is required to register as a sex offender with the police for five years. To further protect potential victims, the court also imposed a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, aimed at preventing Harker from having contact with children in the future.