KEATS HARVEY FROM WEST WITTERING JAILED FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN CHICHESTER
| Red Rose Database
West Wittering Rapist
In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community and raised serious concerns about child safety, Keats Harvey, a 24-year-old American national residing in West Wittering, was convicted of multiple heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of young children. The investigation, carried out by the National Crime Agency (NCA), uncovered a disturbing pattern of grooming, exploitation, and possession of indecent images, leading to his eventual sentencing.
Harvey was arrested at his residence in West Wittering, near Chichester, in May 2020. The authorities charged him with a total of 14 child sexual abuse offences, including possessing a significant number of indecent images of children—almost 9,000 in total—and 630 images classified as prohibited. These images, collected over a five-year period from 2015 to 2020, depicted some of the most disturbing forms of abuse, including the rape and torture of very young children. The evidence also included chat logs and emails in which Harvey admitted to molesting young children, further implicating him in these grave crimes.
Harvey’s criminal activities extended beyond online abuse. He actively sought employment opportunities at locations where he could gain access to children, such as hospitals and nurseries. His intent was clear: to find ways to reoffend and continue his predatory behavior. The investigation revealed that Harvey met his victims through other adults he knew, which facilitated his access to vulnerable children. All four children he abused, including a toddler, have now been safeguarded and are receiving appropriate support.
During the course of the investigation, the NCA uncovered a series of chat logs and emails in which Harvey exchanged images with other individuals who shared similar disturbing interests. In these communications, he admitted to molesting three young children. The authorities also identified another American national, a teacher based in Seattle, who was suspected of abusing an eleven-year-old boy. This information was shared with U.S. authorities, leading to the arrest of the individual and the safeguarding of the child involved.
Harvey’s trial culminated in a conviction in July at Hove Crown Court. He was found guilty of six counts of possessing indecent images of children (categories A-C), two counts of possessing prohibited images, two counts of taking and one count of distributing an indecent photo of a child. Additionally, he was convicted of two counts of assaulting a child under 13 by touching and of meeting a girl under 16 following grooming. The court heard that Harvey had made multiple attempts to reoffend by befriending vulnerable adults with children and applying for jobs that would give him access to young victims.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 8, 2021, at Hove Crown Court, where Harvey faces a lengthy prison term for his despicable crimes. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and safeguarding measures to protect children from predators like Harvey, whose actions have caused lasting harm to his victims and their families.
Harvey was arrested at his residence in West Wittering, near Chichester, in May 2020. The authorities charged him with a total of 14 child sexual abuse offences, including possessing a significant number of indecent images of children—almost 9,000 in total—and 630 images classified as prohibited. These images, collected over a five-year period from 2015 to 2020, depicted some of the most disturbing forms of abuse, including the rape and torture of very young children. The evidence also included chat logs and emails in which Harvey admitted to molesting young children, further implicating him in these grave crimes.
Harvey’s criminal activities extended beyond online abuse. He actively sought employment opportunities at locations where he could gain access to children, such as hospitals and nurseries. His intent was clear: to find ways to reoffend and continue his predatory behavior. The investigation revealed that Harvey met his victims through other adults he knew, which facilitated his access to vulnerable children. All four children he abused, including a toddler, have now been safeguarded and are receiving appropriate support.
During the course of the investigation, the NCA uncovered a series of chat logs and emails in which Harvey exchanged images with other individuals who shared similar disturbing interests. In these communications, he admitted to molesting three young children. The authorities also identified another American national, a teacher based in Seattle, who was suspected of abusing an eleven-year-old boy. This information was shared with U.S. authorities, leading to the arrest of the individual and the safeguarding of the child involved.
Harvey’s trial culminated in a conviction in July at Hove Crown Court. He was found guilty of six counts of possessing indecent images of children (categories A-C), two counts of possessing prohibited images, two counts of taking and one count of distributing an indecent photo of a child. Additionally, he was convicted of two counts of assaulting a child under 13 by touching and of meeting a girl under 16 following grooming. The court heard that Harvey had made multiple attempts to reoffend by befriending vulnerable adults with children and applying for jobs that would give him access to young victims.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 8, 2021, at Hove Crown Court, where Harvey faces a lengthy prison term for his despicable crimes. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and safeguarding measures to protect children from predators like Harvey, whose actions have caused lasting harm to his victims and their families.