PHILIP HARRISON FROM NEWTON-LE-WILLOWS JAILED FOR CHILD ABUSE IMAGES AND THEFT AT MANCHESTER COMMUNITY CENTRE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community, Philip Harrison, a 51-year-old man from Newton-le-Willows, has been sentenced to a total of six and a half years in prison following his conviction for possessing and distributing extremely disturbing child abuse images, as well as committing theft at a community centre in Manchester.

According to court proceedings at Liverpool Crown Court, Harrison was found to have engaged in the distribution of child abuse images via Skype, a messaging platform that was described in court as “new territory” for such criminal activity. Prosecutors revealed that Harrison had shared thousands of indecent images with 85 other Skype users and 166 individuals on the file-sharing network Gigatribe. The images he circulated were described by police as among the worst they had ever encountered, illustrating perversions that defy the imagination of any rational member of society.

Judge David Aubrey QC, presiding over the case, sentenced Harrison to five and a half years in prison for the distribution and possession of indecent images. In his remarks, the judge stated, “You submerged yourself in a sea of depravity. The perversions illustrated in so many images defy the imagination of any right-thinking member of society. It is difficult to comprehend that such can exist in human nature.” The judge further emphasized the profound harm caused to the victims, saying, “Every child depicted in those images will suffer or has suffered untold psychological and emotional harm as a result of that which occurred to them, and such harm may well be beyond repair and remain with them forever.”

While on bail for these offences, Harrison gained employment at Chorlton Community Centre in Manchester, where he was trusted as a volunteer. However, his criminal activities extended beyond online offences. Harrison was entrusted with a security token for the centre’s bank account during the manager’s absence. Exploiting this trust, he used the token in April of the previous year to steal £13,822 from the centre’s account, leading to its closure and causing significant disruption to the local community.

Judge Aubrey described Harrison’s breach of trust as “catastrophic,” noting the devastating impact on the community centre and its users. Claire Jones, prosecuting, explained that the indecent image offences came to light after Merseyside Police’s Abusive Images Unit received a tip-off from West Midlands Police on November 8, 2011, regarding Harrison’s online activities on Gigatribe. Further investigations traced him to an address in Siskin Close, Newton-le-Willows, where he had previously been a tenant. It was discovered that he had recently moved to a house on Regent Street, also in Newton-le-Willows, where he was living with a woman and her three young children.

Authorities found that Harrison had moved out of the Regent Street property just three days prior to their visit, relocating to the YMCA. However, his laptop was recovered from the Regent Street residence, and his former landlady retained possession of his other computer due to a dispute over money. Forensic analysis of these devices revealed nearly 4,000 indecent images and videos, spanning various categories of severity. Harrison’s distribution activities also led to the identification of other suspects involved in similar offences.

Harrison, who has no fixed address, pleaded guilty to 17 charges, including making, distributing, and possessing indecent images, as well as theft and failing to surrender to bail. His defense attorney, John Broadley, highlighted that Harrison had no prior convictions and had never served time in prison. Broadley explained that Harrison’s behaviour had spiraled out of control following the breakdown of a 15-year relationship, which led him to heavy drinking. He expressed remorse, stating, “He is appalled by his own conduct. He is appalled he could have accessed or made available for distribution these images. He wishes to put it behind him.”

Regarding the theft, Broadley described it as “despicable,” acknowledging the gravity of the offence. Judge Aubrey sentenced Harrison to four and a half years for the indecent image offences, with an additional 12 months to be served consecutively for the theft. The judge also ordered Harrison to register as a sex offender for life, imposed an indefinite Sexual Offences Prevention Order, and banned him from working with children in the future, reflecting the seriousness of his crimes and the potential risk to the community.