IRVINE PAEDOPHILE JOHN HARRISON DIES IN PRISON AFTER ABUSING CHILDREN IN GREENOCK AND AYRSHIRE

In April 2020, it was confirmed that John Harrison, a convicted paedophile from Irvine, Ayrshire, had passed away while serving his prison sentence. Harrison, aged 73 at the time of his death, was incarcerated at HMP Barlinnie, where he succumbed to natural causes. His criminal history is marked by heinous acts of sexual abuse spanning several decades, involving multiple young victims.

Harrison’s crimes included the rape of a young girl and numerous instances of lewd and libidinous conduct. Over the years, he preyed on a total of seven children, both boys and girls, some as young as four years old. These offenses took place from the 1960s through the 1990s, with incidents occurring at various locations in Greenock, Inverclyde, and the surrounding areas. His predatory behavior was finally brought to light in 2017, when he was arrested and subsequently tried at the High Court in Glasgow.

During the trial, Harrison vehemently denied all charges, which included ten counts of sexual offenses. Despite his denials, a jury found him guilty of all charges. The presiding judge, Andrew Cubie, described Harrison’s actions as “calculated and predatory sexual abuse,” emphasizing the severity and deliberate nature of his crimes. The court heard that Harrison’s victims included children as young as four, with some victims attempting to confide in their own families about their suffering, only to be met with rejection or disbelief at the time.

Following his conviction, Harrison was sentenced in June 2019 to eight years in prison. The sentence reflected the gravity of his offenses, and he was placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely. During the sentencing hearing, Harrison’s behavior was notably emotional; he appeared to break down sobbing in the dock, and as he was led away in handcuffs, he ranted at Judge Cubie, protesting his innocence. His legal representative, QC Gary Allan, highlighted that Harrison retained the loyalty and support of his wife, describing her unwavering support as “the glimmer of light in an otherwise bleak situation.”

Harrison’s death in prison marked the end of a long and disturbing chapter of abuse, which left a lasting impact on his victims and the communities of Irvine and Greenock. His passing was confirmed in April 2020, closing a tragic case of a man who exploited the innocence of children over several decades and was finally held accountable for his actions.