STUART HARRIS JAILED IN SWANSEA FOR SEX OFFENCES AFTER ESCAPE TO NEW YORK

In September 2017, Stuart Harris, now released and residing back in Swansea, was sentenced for serious sex offences. Harris, a former scout leader, had previously been jailed in November 2008 for similar crimes. Harris, 28 at the time, had fled Britain to avoid justice after being arrested for sexually assaulting young boys. He traveled to the United States, where he used a false identity to secure employment as a nanny for a wealthy family, caring for young children.

British police and the FBI collaborated to apprehend Harris, and he was extradited back to the UK to face charges. Prosecutor Janet Gedrych stated, “Harris had taken indecent photographs of some of his young victims after molesting them. He was also in possession of a large number of other child porn pictures downloaded from the internet.”

She continued, “When he was arrested last year he denied any wrong-doing and was released on bail. But he then disappeared and, under a false identity, obtained employment as a nanny in New York for a family with young children.”

Harris, of Clase, Swansea, pleaded guilty to five counts of sexually assaulting five boys under age 13. He also admitted to 20 offences of making indecent photographs of children and possessing a total of 1,935 indecent images.

Judge Patrick Curran QC described Harris as a “dangerous offender” and sentenced him to an indefinite term of imprisonment. Harris will serve a minimum of three years before he can apply for parole and potential release.