HEREFORD MAN MATTHEW HARRIS SENTENCED TO EIGHT YEARS FOR SEXUAL GROOMING OF YOUNG GIRL AT SKATEPARK

In a case that has shocked the community of Hereford, Matthew Harris, a 27-year-old man, has been sentenced to a total of eight years in prison after being found guilty of sexually grooming a young girl he met at a local skatepark. The incident highlights the ongoing concerns about online safety and the risks posed by individuals with a history of offending.

According to court proceedings, Harris engaged in a series of inappropriate communications with the girl, who was under the age of 13. These messages, sent via Facebook and other messaging platforms, included references to making plans for sexual activity. The girl’s mother discovered the messages in June of this year, which left her feeling deeply disturbed and “sickened” by the content. The messages revealed that Harris had used various aliases, including Norman Harris and Sharky Harris, to conceal his identity and continue his contact with the young girl.

Prosecutor Alex Warren told Worcester Crown Court that Harris had expressed a desire to meet the girl alone, further indicating his predatory intentions. The court was also informed that Harris and the girl had maintained contact after their initial meeting at the skatepark, raising serious concerns about his ongoing intentions and behavior.

Harris’s criminal history includes a previous conviction for engaging in sexual activity with a girl under 16, for which he received a jail sentence in February 2008. Following that conviction, he was subject to a court order banning him from being near children, a restriction he later breached. Harris pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to charges of sexual grooming, violating the court order, and failing to notify authorities of his change of address after moving to Queensway, College Estate, Hereford, with a new partner.

During the hearing, Harris’s defense lawyer, Lynette McClement, argued that his previous offense involved a consensual relationship with a girl who was nearly 16 at the time. She also highlighted Harris’s troubled past, describing him as someone who struggled to relate to adults and suggesting that he sought relationships with younger individuals to boost his self-esteem.

Judge Patrick Thomas acknowledged that Harris had experienced a difficult childhood, describing him as “seriously damaged.” However, the judge emphasized that Harris remained a “danger” to young girls and posed a significant risk to their safety. The court’s decision aimed to protect the community, and the extended sentence was intended to give Harris an opportunity to seek help and rehabilitation.

Harris was sentenced to eight years for sexual grooming, with an additional three years each for breaching the court order and for failing to notify authorities of his change of address. These sentences are to run concurrently. The court also deducted the 95 days Harris had already spent in custody from his sentence, ensuring that he will serve a substantial period behind bars before being eligible for parole or release.