PHILLIP HARTHILL FROM PLYMOUTH SENTENCED TO 14 YEARS FOR ABUSING SCHOOLGIRL OVER 20 YEARS AGO
In a case that has shocked the community of Plymouth, a man named Phillip Harthill has been sentenced to 14 years in prison after being found guilty of sexually abusing a young girl over two decades ago.The heinous crimes, which spanned several years, involved repeated indecent assaults and an attempted rape, all committed against a girl who was between the ages of seven and 11 at the time.
Harthill, aged 56 and residing on Langley Crescent in Southway, was put on trial at Plymouth Crown Court where he faced nine charges related to his actions between 1987 and 1993.
The trial lasted five days, during which Harthill denied all allegations.
However, the jury took only an hour to reach a unanimous verdict, convicting him on all counts.
The court heard that Harthill, who was unemployed at the time, had engaged in a pattern of grooming and exploiting the young girl over a period of four or five years.
The victim, now an adult, recounted how Harthill had repeatedly touched her indecently, sometimes in the presence of other children.
He had also used manipulative tactics, such as threatening to take her away from her parents if she disclosed what was happening, to maintain control over her.
Judge Ian Lawrie, presiding over the case, sentenced Harthill to 14 years in prison.
In his remarks, the judge described the defendant’s actions as “the most ruthless fashion imaginable,” emphasizing how Harthill exploited the girl’s innocence and ignorance over several years.
The judge also highlighted the persistent pursuit of sexual contact by Harthill, which caused lasting trauma to the victim.
The court was informed that the victim has struggled throughout her life to come to terms with the abuse.
She has undergone counseling and continues to suffer from nightmares, illustrating the profound psychological impact of Harthill’s actions.
During the trial, it was revealed that Harthill had attempted to rape the girl when she was under 16, between 1990 and 1993.
He was convicted of six counts of indecent assault and one count of gross indecency involving the same girl over the six-year period.
Two of the indecent assault charges involved ten separate incidents each.
Further details uncovered during the proceedings showed that Harthill would invite children to his flat in Barne Barton, Plymouth, where he would provide alcohol and cigarettes.
The victim, who initially visited the flat with her brother, described how Harthill used seemingly innocent-looking dogs to lure her back multiple times each week.
He would give her brother and friends money to buy sweets, ostensibly to keep them occupied so he could be alone with her.
Harthill’s abuse extended to touching her indecently under the bedclothes while other children watched television in the same room.
The victim described the experience as making her stomach turn.
The court also heard that Harthill attempted to rape her when she was around 10 or 11 years old.
Police were not alerted until 2011, nearly two decades after the abuse began.
Judge Lawrie commented on Harthill’s demeanor during the trial, noting that he appeared “like a rabbit caught in the headlights” and admitted to being confused during his evidence.
The judge also acknowledged the deep psychological scars left on the victim.
In his closing remarks, Judge Lawrie praised the bravery of the victim for coming forward and providing compelling testimony behind a screen in court.
Harthill is expected to serve approximately seven years of his sentence and will be required to register as a sex offender for life, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the lasting impact on his victim.
