JOHN HARRIS FROM LONDON SENTENCED FOR KIDNAPPING AFTER PRISON ESCAPE IN BRISTOL
In a serious case that has drawn significant attention, John Harris, a 36-year-old man originally from London, was sentenced to a substantial prison term after a series of alarming criminal acts that culminated in a failed kidnapping attempt.Harris had been serving a sentence under an Imprisonment for Public Protection (IPP) order, which is typically reserved for offenders deemed dangerous to society.
The incident that led to his latest conviction occurred on Tuesday, October 16, in the Wotton-under-Edge area near Bristol.
Harris managed to escape from HMP Leyhill, an open prison facility, and shortly thereafter, he trespassed onto the grounds of a local school.
His actions took a disturbing turn when he grabbed a child and threatened to kidnap him, prompting immediate concern and swift action from school staff.
Teachers at the school responded quickly, guiding the child to safety and removing Harris from the premises.
Despite their efforts to de-escalate the situation, Harris continued to attempt entry through windows and doors, showing a clear intent to carry out his threatening actions.
The school promptly initiated a lockdown to protect other students and staff while police were summoned to the scene.
Law enforcement officers arrived within a short period and successfully apprehended Harris.
The incident was particularly troubling given Harris’s prior history; he was already serving a sentence for a similar offense committed at a hospital in London.
His criminal record includes a breach of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which had been imposed by Woolwich Crown Court in September 2009.
This order explicitly prohibited him from approaching children under the age of 16.
Harris’s arrest and subsequent court proceedings took place in Bristol.
The following day, he appeared at Bristol Magistrates’ Court, where he faced charges of escaping lawful custody, kidnapping, and breaching the sexual offences prevention order.
During the hearing, his defense lawyer, Sarah Regan, requested an immediate sentencing, but Judge Jason Taylor QC decided to adjourn the case to consider Harris’s dangerousness and the appropriate punishment.
On November 23, at Bristol Crown Court, Harris pleaded guilty to all charges.
The court sentenced him to seven and a half years in prison, with an additional four years on extended licence, bringing his total potential incarceration to 11 years and six months.
The judge also ordered Harris to be returned to a secure facility to serve his sentence, emphasizing the seriousness of his actions and the threat he posed to public safety.
Harris’s case underscores the ongoing concerns about the management and monitoring of offenders with a history of sexual offenses, especially those who are released from open prisons.
His attempt to kidnap a child from a school in Bristol highlights the importance of vigilance and robust security measures to prevent such dangerous incidents from occurring in the future.
