JOHN HARRIS SENT TO PRISON FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE IN LIVERPOOL AND VAUXHALL

In April 2014, a woman from Liverpool who endured years of sexual abuse at the hands of her stepfather expressed her relief now that he has been incarcerated. John Harris, aged 64 and residing on William Henry Street in Vauxhall, was sentenced to seven years in prison after admitting to nine historic sexual offences committed against Gemma Bennett, along with several other related charges.

During the proceedings at Liverpool Crown Court, it was revealed that Harris had abused Miss Bennett from 1993 to 2001, a period during which she was between the ages of eight and fifteen. The victim recounted that the abuse began when she was just six years old, a claim Harris denied. Miss Bennett, now 28, chose to waive her right to anonymity and publicly share her story in hopes of encouraging other victims of child sexual abuse to come forward and seek justice.

She described her ordeal as horrifying, stating, “It was horrible. The things he did were disgusting, terrible things. This happened on a daily basis. He stole my childhood.” She further explained that Harris had threatened her with death if she ever disclosed the abuse, calling him “a vile, disgusting man” and “a monster.”

Miss Bennett, who is a mother, revealed that the trauma inflicted by Harris continued to affect her into adulthood. She admitted to turning to alcohol and drugs as coping mechanisms, though she is now in recovery. She shared that she still struggles with sleep, needing the lights on to feel safe, and cannot leave her daughter alone, fearing for her safety.

It was only last year that Miss Bennett found the courage to report her abuse to the police. The subsequent legal case brought back painful memories, but ultimately resulted in Harris’s conviction and imprisonment. She described the day Harris was sentenced as a turning point, saying, “I felt like a free woman for the first time in my life. That was a positive. I couldn’t help but smile to myself that night – it was the first night I slept properly in years.” She expressed her gratitude towards the legal team and Merseyside Police, acknowledging their support and belief in her.

Since the trial, Miss Bennett has returned to college to pursue GCSEs she was unable to focus on earlier in life. She also expressed her ambition to become a counsellor, aiming to help children who have experienced similar trauma. She offered words of encouragement to others, saying, “You can turn your life around. Now I have a partner, a beautiful child, and a lovely home. I’m lucky that my life turned out like a fairytale in the end, but it almost didn’t.”

Despite Harris’s incarceration, Miss Bennett emphasized that many people remain unaware of his past crimes. She warned that he is not likely to be in prison forever and urged vigilance. She also highlighted the importance of victims coming forward, especially in light of recent high-profile sexual abuse prosecutions that have not always resulted in convictions.

Detective Constable Sally Ann Fidler praised Miss Bennett’s bravery, stating, “John Harris preyed on this innocent young person when she was at a vulnerable stage of her life. He thought he could get away with it and caused untold sadness and fear. His successful prosecution shows that he did not get away with it in the end.” She commended Miss Bennett for her courage in reporting the abuse over two decades after it occurred and assured victims that Merseyside Police, the CPS, and other agencies are committed to supporting them. Fidler concluded by emphasizing that the case sends a strong message to all victims of sexual abuse, whether recent or historic, that help is available and justice can be achieved.