TYRONE HARDING'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN SWANSEA: EXPOSED HIMSELF TO YOUNG GIRLS NEAR SCHOOL
In December 2018, a disturbing incident unfolded in Swansea involving Tyrone Harding, a known sex offender with a troubling history of inappropriate behavior in public spaces.Harding deliberately targeted a lane in Swansea that was frequently used by pupils on their way to school, demonstrating a clear pattern of predatory conduct.
On this particular morning, he approached two young girls, aged 12, and subjected them to a distressing and lewd act.
According to court reports, Harding intentionally went to a park in Swansea earlier that day, despite being banned from doing so.
His actions then led him to a lane near a local school, where he waited for the young victims to approach.
Once the girls were within reach, Harding exposed himself by taking his penis out of his jogging bottoms and made an inappropriate sexual suggestion to the children.
The girls, understandably frightened and shocked, reacted swiftly; one of them grabbed her friend's hand, and the pair ran away from the scene.
After fleeing, the girls reached their school and promptly reported the incident to teachers.
The school authorities then contacted the police, providing a detailed description of the suspect.
Law enforcement officers responded quickly, and although CCTV footage from the surrounding streets did not capture the incident itself, police were able to identify Harding as the suspect based on witness descriptions and other evidence.
On October 21, Harding was arrested in connection with the incident.
During his police interview, Harding was cautioned and made a startling statement: “I just want to back to jail.” He also admitted that he had specifically gone to the area that day because he knew a school was nearby, indicating premeditation and a disturbing pattern of targeting young children.
The court was presented with a victim impact statement from one of the girls, who expressed feelings of upset, shock, and concern that Harding might harm others in a similar manner.
Additionally, a teacher of one of the victims described how the incident appeared to have affected her, stating she “seems to have lost some of her innocence.” Harding, residing at Jeffrey’s Court, Penlan, Swansea, had previously pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including exposure, breaching a sexual harm prevention order by entering a park, and inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity.
His criminal record includes prior convictions for exposing himself in Cwmdonkin and Singleton parks, as well as on Clarendon Road in Sketty.
Last year, Harding was caught pleasuring himself near Bishop Gore School, further illustrating his pattern of offending.
Judge Paul Thomas QC addressed Harding’s inability to control his sexual urges towards children, emphasizing that the only effective way to prevent further offenses was to impose a substantial prison sentence.
Harding was sentenced to four years in prison for each of the inciting charges, 12 months for exposure, and 30 months for breaching the sexual harm prevention order.
All sentences are to run concurrently, resulting in a total of four years of imprisonment.
Furthermore, Harding was subjected to a lifelong sexual harm prevention order, which prohibits him from entering any public park in Swansea and from being within 100 meters of a school.
He will also remain on the sex offenders register for the rest of his life, underscoring the severity of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses to the community.
