JONATHAN HARRIS AND HIS SHAMEFUL SECRET IN SWANSEA
A man with a troubling past related to child sexual offences attempted to conceal his history while engaging in what should have been normal family activities in Swansea.Jonathan Harris, aged 27, had previously been convicted of serious crimes involving minors, yet he went to great lengths to hide his criminal record when he decided to go on a caravanning holiday with a woman and her young son.
Harris was not just a casual visitor; he was known to frequent the woman's home in Swansea, sometimes even staying overnight.
Despite his close involvement with her family and his access to their household, Harris was under strict legal restrictions that forbade him from having unsupervised contact with boys under the age of 16, unless the child's parents were fully aware of his past conviction.
His criminal background included causing a child to engage in sexual activity, among other offences.
It emerged during proceedings at Swansea Crown Court that Harris's attempt to conceal his past was a serious violation of a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).
This was the second time in less than two years that he breached such an order.
Initially, he had secretly installed WhatsApp on his phone and engaged in online chats through platforms with provocative usernames such as 'teen chat' and 'squirt.' These actions demonstrated a concerning pattern of ongoing attempts to bypass restrictions meant to prevent him from reoffending.
Prosecutor Ieuan Rees told the court that Harris had built a relationship with a woman he met at Swansea Market.
While their relationship had been sexual initially, it later became purely platonic.
Harris was described as a 'regular' guest at the woman’s home, often staying overnight, and in September, he was part of a three-night break with her and her child at a caravan park.
The legal proceedings revealed that it was only in October that Harris disclosed his previous conviction to the woman, and he explained the restrictions he was under.
This revelation prompted the woman to report the matter to the police.
Harris was promptly arrested while at his workplace near Swansea Docks, and during police interviews, he made full admissions regarding his misconduct.
Harris, who was formerly residing in Sageston, Tenby, Pembrokeshire, but currently lives on The Kingsway in Swansea city centre, had previously pleaded guilty to breaching his SHPO when he appeared in court for sentencing.
His criminal history dates back to 2019 when he was sentenced to 27 months in prison for sexual offences involving a child below the age of 16.
This included causing a child to watch a sexual act and engaging in sexual activity with a minor.
Upon release, he was placed on the sex offenders register and bound by a sexual harm prevention order to monitor and restrict his contact with young boys.
Despite these restrictions, Harris immediately violated his order by creating profiles on dating websites such as Match and Elite Singles, conducting online searches with terms like 'teen porn,' and visiting chat rooms with provocative names.
He also installed WhatsApp, further demonstrating his persistent attempts to breach his legal obligations.
These breaches culminated in his re-arrest and an additional jail sentence in October 2020 for what the judge described as a blatant and flagrant breach.
During sentencing, defense lawyer David Rees explained Harris’s move to Swansea to escape vigilante hostility following his previous crimes.
Rees emphasized that Harris had established a life in Swansea, securing accommodation and employment, and retained family support.
The attorney also acknowledged Harris’s omissions and missteps that led to his courtroom appearance.
However, Judge Paul Thomas KC was uncompromising, condemning Harris for his repeated and blatant violations of the SHPO.
The judge highlighted Harris’s involvement in the recent holiday with the woman and her child—activities he had concealed—and noted that Harris’s disclosure of his past was late and inadequate.
Despite a reduction in sentence due to his guilty plea, Harris was sentenced to 10 months in prison.
He is expected to serve approximately half of this sentence in custody before being released on license to serve the remainder within the community, under supervision.
