NATALIE HARRIS OF WATERLOOVILLE SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE INVOLVING 13-YEAR-OLDS IN HER SON'S BEDROOM

A 36-year-old woman from Waterlooville has been sentenced to four years in prison after engaging in a disturbing sexual encounter with two 13-year-old boys inside her son's bedroom while he was at school. The incident, which took place in November 2022, has shocked the local community and brought to light serious concerns about grooming and abuse.

According to court proceedings, Natalie Harris, who is a mother of six children, initiated contact with one of the boys through Snapchat, sending him sexual messages that quickly escalated. She then extended an invitation to both boys to visit her residence, demonstrating a blatant disregard for moral boundaries. The court heard that Harris developed an unhealthy obsession with young boys, which appeared to be fueled by her desire for attention following a recent breakup. Her actions were described as a clear breach of trust and an egregious abuse of her position as a parent and adult.

During the court session at Portsmouth Crown Court, it was revealed that Harris begged the boys to keep their activities secret. However, her efforts to conceal her misconduct failed when a video of the threesome, filmed by one of the boys, circulated among students at their school. This circulation prompted a police investigation after a concerned parent reported the video, which depicted Harris engaging in sexual activity with the boys. The police quickly identified Harris as the woman in the video through distinctive hand tattoos visible in the footage. Her mobile phone was seized, revealing a series of messages between her and one of the boys, who she had saved in her contacts under the name 'Rachel.'

In the messages, Harris warned the boy not to tell anyone about their interactions, implying that disclosure could lead to her imprisonment. She also offered to support him if he faced any repercussions. The boy later confided in his mother, admitting that he had taken the video of the sexual encounter. He recounted that Harris had started messaging him on Snapchat and through text messages around the time of the World Cup in November 2022. The messages became increasingly sexual, and Harris invited both boys to her home, where the abuse occurred.

Prosecutor Matthew Lawson explained that upon arriving at Harris's residence, the boys were taken to her son's bedroom, where they engaged in sexual activity for approximately 40 minutes before leaving to avoid her own son returning from school. Harris was arrested shortly afterward and initially denied any knowledge of the woman in the video. The court heard that Harris's actions had a profound impact on the boys and their families. In a victim impact statement, the mother of the boy who came forward described how her son had changed dramatically since the incident. She said he had lost interest in hobbies, became withdrawn, and preferred to stay indoors. Her words reflected the deep emotional scars left by Harris's actions, emphasizing that her son’s childhood had been stolen and that the family would carry the burden of this trauma forever.

Harris was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and multiple personality disorder, and it was noted that she was experiencing a manic episode at the time of the offenses. Her defense attorney, Berenice Mulvanny, expressed remorse on her behalf, stating that her behavior was triggered by her recent breakup and emotional instability. The judge, Sarah Munro KC, acknowledged Harris's mental health issues but emphasized the severity of her actions. She pointed out that Harris's reaction to her breakup led her to become excessively promiscuous and obsessed with young boys, which she described as a clear breach of moral conduct.

Judge Munro highlighted the premeditated nature of Harris's grooming behavior, noting the significant age disparity and the betrayal of trust involved. She condemned Harris's actions as a serious abuse of her role as a mother and adult, with a total disregard for the well-being of her victims. The judge sentenced Harris to four years in prison, also imposing a 10-year restraining order and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order of the same duration to prevent any further contact with the victims or their families.

In her sentencing remarks, Judge Munro stated that no punishment could fully compensate for the loss of childhood experienced by the boys or undo the damage inflicted. She emphasized that Harris's behavior was driven by a desire for attention and emotional validation, which led her to exploit vulnerable young boys in her community. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding children and the devastating consequences of grooming and sexual abuse by trusted adults.