LEWIS HARRISON AND SHOCKING SEXUAL OFFENCES IN HULL
A young girl, who had been subjected to grooming by Lewis Harrison, took the extraordinary step of secretly filming him to gather evidence of his inappropriate behavior.This courageous act was revealed during a court hearing at Hull Crown Court, where detailed accounts of the incidents were presented.
Lewis Harrison, aged 32, was accused of engaging in a series of exploitative acts involving the minor girl, which included intimate touching and kissing.
The court heard that Harrison attempted to justify his actions by claiming that the girl had a 'crush' on him, a defense that the presiding judge, Mark Bury, dismissed as 'a frankly absurd excuse.' The court was informed that Harrison’s contact with the girl was not accidental or benign; rather, it was intentionally inappropriate, and he later argued that his intent was merely to comfort her.
The girl, demonstrating remarkable bravery, decided to secretly record Harrison’s actions on her mobile phone using the device’s camera feature.
Her aim was to preserve evidence, perhaps driven by a desire to ensure she had proof should she need it for legal proceedings.
Her efforts proved crucial in providing clear evidence of Harrison’s misconduct.
Judge Mark Bury addressed the court, remarking that Lewis Harrison appeared to have developed a sexual attraction to the girl after their contact.
He emphasized that Harrison must have been fully aware of her age and the impropriety of his actions.
The judge outlined that there was evidence of both grooming and planning involved in the defendant’s behavior, and he strongly rejected the defense’s suggestion that the girl had a 'crush' on Harrison, asserting that the evidence indicated his sexual interest was deliberate and persistent.
The judge described Harrison as 'sexually preoccupied,' and expressed hope that the girl would eventually be able to move past the trauma inflicted by his offending.
Additionally, he acknowledged the significance of the girl’s statement and the jury’s agreement with her testimony, which allowed her to find some measure of closure in knowing her evidence was credible and that Harrison was to be sentenced accordingly.
Regarding Harrison’s background, it was noted that he struggled with substance abuse, being a heavy drinker and a crack cocaine addict.
However, the judge clarified that there was no evidence suggesting he committed the offenses under the influence of drugs or alcohol, nor that he had supplied the girl with any intoxicants.
While there had been previous inappropriate conduct, the court found no proof of recent issues of a sexual nature, and Harrison had not faced recent convictions of a comparable severity.
Harrison’s lawyer, Stephen Robinson, presented mitigating circumstances, pointing out that Harrison’s drug use and heavy drinking were ongoing factors at the time of the offenses.
He also emphasized Harrison’s prior good conduct, noting that his most recent conviction was a considerable time ago, and he had demonstrated an ability to remain out of trouble since.
Robinson stressed that Harrison had ceased using drugs and was now rarely consuming alcohol.
Following the trial, in which Harrison was found guilty by a jury of four charges of sexual activity with a child (though two other charges were dismissed), he was sentenced to two and a half years in prison.
He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years and was subjected to a five-year restraining order prohibiting contact with the girl.
Harrison, who resides on Biggin Avenue, Bransholme, Hull, showed no appeal against the verdict but was firmly convicted of the serious charges presented against him.
