ANTHONY HARRISON FROM STOCKTON JAILED FOR APPROACHING CHILDREN NEAR THE TEES

In a serious incident that has raised concerns about the safety of minors in Stockton, Anthony Harrison, a 69-year-old man with a troubling criminal history, was sentenced to prison after he was caught approaching young boys fishing along the River Tees. The incident took place near the Millennium Bridge in Stockton on Saturday, July 27, at approximately 5 pm, and was captured on CCTV footage, which played a crucial role in his subsequent arrest.

According to prosecutor Emma Atkinson, police responded swiftly after viewing the CCTV footage showing Harrison riding a bicycle towards the two young anglers. Upon stopping and searching him, officers found him in possession of small items including a packet of mints and a bag of Blue Riband biscuits. Harrison was then taken into custody for questioning.

During the police interview, Harrison displayed signs of being absentminded about his actions. He admitted that he could not clearly recall how old the boys were but eventually acknowledged that he had communicated with them. The 12-year-old boy who was interviewed reported seeing Harrison in the vicinity on multiple occasions. Harrison approached the boys, inquiring about their fishing activity and whether they had caught anything. He also handed one of the boys a roll-up cigarette and offered snacks, including biscuits and a can of pop, instructing them to share the items among themselves. Harrison expressed surprise that the boys were still wearing their tops despite the warm weather and asked after a friend of theirs by name.

Further investigation revealed that Harrison had a history of sexual offenses. He had previously served a seven-year prison sentence in December 1998 for child sex abuse. Following his release, he was subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) that prohibited him from having contact with children under 16. Despite this, Harrison had a history of breaching this order, notably in 2007 when he failed to comply with the restraining order, and again in July 2012 when he befriended a single mother with a two-year-old child.

In court, Harrison’s defense lawyer, John Nixon, described him as a loner and an isolated individual, suggesting that his reasons for approaching the boys were unclear. Mr. Nixon emphasized that the circumstances could have been different had police not intervened and urged the court to consider allowing the Probation Service to work with Harrison instead of imposing a lengthy prison sentence.

However, the judge, Recorder of Middlesbrough Judge Simon Bourne-Arton QC, emphasized the seriousness of the case. He pointed out that Harrison had deliberately approached the children, providing them with cigarettes and biscuits, and noted his comment about the boys having their tops on, which was concerning given the context. The judge also expressed concern about Harrison’s manipulative behavior and his history of making verbal threats against authorities, which indicated a low likelihood of cooperation with probation efforts.

Ultimately, Harrison was sentenced to 12 months in prison after pleading guilty to breaching his Sexual Offences Prevention Order. The court’s decision underscores the importance of safeguarding children and the ongoing risks posed by individuals with a history of sexual offenses, especially those who violate court orders designed to protect minors. Harrison’s actions in Stockton serve as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and strict enforcement of protective measures for vulnerable children in the community.