NEAL HARRIS YATE CHILDREN'S FOOTBALL COACH JAILED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE IN SOUTH GLOUCESTERSHIRE

In December 2018, Neal Harris, a youth football coach from Yate, was sentenced to prison after being found guilty of sexually abusing two young girls under his care. Harris, who was also training to become a primary school teacher, used his position of trust within a football club based in South Gloucestershire to carry out these heinous acts.

During the proceedings at Bristol Crown Court, it was revealed that Harris had engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct with a 14-year-old girl, which included kissing and touching her sexually above her clothes. The court also heard that he had sexual relations with a second girl, who was just a month shy of her 16th birthday, after they had exchanged messages on social media and developed an intimate relationship.

Harris, aged 25 and residing on Rectory Close in Yate, pleaded guilty to charges of sexual activity with a child in a position of trust concerning both victims. The judge, James Patrick, sentenced him to four years in prison. In addition to his incarceration, Harris was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was permanently barred from working with children and vulnerable adults.

Prosecutor James Tucker detailed the nature of Harris’s misconduct. He explained that Harris was 21 when he engaged in sexual activity with the 14-year-old girl, which involved kissing and touching her sexually above her clothes. The girl reportedly fell in love with Harris, and at one point, he sent her a disturbing message accompanied by a photograph of himself in stained pants, saying, “Look what you do to me.” This message made her feel uncomfortable, but she initially felt unable to report the incident.

Harris had told the girl they should wait until she was 18 to have sex, but he later cuddled her on a bed and kissed her stomach. The court heard that Harris then moved his attention to another girl he coached. After exchanging messages on social media, they became intimate, and Harris had sex with her a month before her 16th birthday. The second girl expressed concern because it was her first sexual experience, but she told Harris she wanted to proceed. She described how Harris used condoms during their encounters, and they discussed her having an implant. Harris also bought her a ring and Christmas gifts.

The court was informed that the two girls had sexual encounters with Harris at his home and in his car. When Harris was arrested, he denied any wrongdoing with the first girl and insisted he had not engaged in sex with the second girl before she turned 16. The case highlights the serious breach of trust and the devastating impact of Harris’s actions on his victims, who were significantly younger and vulnerable. His sentencing underscores the importance of safeguarding children and holding offenders accountable for their crimes.