DAVID HARRY OF RODBOURNE SENTENCED TO 16 YEARS FOR MULTIPLE CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN SWINDON AND OXFORDSHIRE

In a disturbing series of criminal acts spanning over a decade, David Harry, a resident of Rodbourne, has been sentenced to a total of 16 years in prison for heinous child sexual offenses committed in Swindon and Oxfordshire. The court proceedings revealed a pattern of predatory behavior that has left multiple victims traumatized and scarred for life.

Harry, who was already serving a 12-year sentence after his conviction for raping a nine-year-old girl, faced additional charges after a new victim came forward. This victim, now a teenager, disclosed that Harry had also sexually abused her when she was only four or five years old, around the turn of the millennium. The revelation came after she recognized him in a shop and saw media coverage of his previous conviction, prompting her to finally speak out about her own ordeal.

Prosecutor Colin Meeke detailed to Swindon Crown Court that the young girl was sitting with Harry, who was babysitting her at the time, when he undressed and coerced her into performing a sexual act. The girl, who had kept her silence for over a decade, explained that she was too frightened to tell anyone about the abuse until she saw Harry in a shop and learned about his ongoing legal issues through media reports. Her suffering has been profound, with her experiencing vivid nightmares and emotional distress as a consequence of the abuse.

During the court proceedings, Harry, formerly residing on Rose Street in Rodbourne, denied any wrongdoing when questioned but ultimately pleaded guilty to one charge of indecent assault via a video link. His initial sentencing in January of the previous year resulted in a 12-year prison term, along with a three-year extended license, after he was convicted of rape and other related offenses involving a different young girl.

Defense lawyer Rob Ross highlighted Harry’s efforts toward rehabilitation, noting that he had already begun a sex offender treatment program at Albany Prison on the Isle of Wight. Harry had been transferred to Bullingdon Prison in Oxfordshire for this hearing and expressed a desire to continue his therapy courses. Ross emphasized that Harry was now more accepting of his actions and was actively working to address his mental health issues, which were also linked to his own history of childhood abuse.

Judge Tim Mousley QC acknowledged the severity of Harry’s crimes, especially considering the young age of the first victim. The judge explained that had Harry contested the charges and been convicted, the sentence would have been around eight years; with a guilty plea, it would have been approximately five and a half years. However, given the circumstances and the fact that this was an addition to his previous sentence, the judge ordered a consecutive four-year term, bringing the total imprisonment to 16 years. Additionally, a three-year extended license was imposed, during which Harry will serve two-thirds of his sentence before being eligible for parole.

Furthermore, the court amended a sexual offences prevention order to prohibit Harry from contacting the victims upon his release. The order also restricts his liberty and access to children, aiming to prevent any further harm. Harry’s previous conviction included charges of raping a child under 13, sexual assault of a child under 13, and causing a child to watch sexual activity. The jury had heard how he groomed the young girl by showing her pornography on his mobile phone before raping her.

Harry’s criminal history also includes a 2000 admission of sexually abusing a 16-year-old girl while she slept in his car at a beauty spot. His repeated offenses and the nature of his crimes have prompted the court to impose strict measures to monitor and restrict his contact with minors, including a lifetime registration as a sex offender and a ban on working with children.

Detective Constable Clare Wyness expressed satisfaction with the sentence, emphasizing the seriousness of Harry’s offenses and his abuse of trust. She praised the bravery of the victims who came forward and hoped that the convictions would encourage other victims to report similar crimes, assuring the public that Wiltshire Police are committed to investigating such cases thoroughly and without hesitation.