JAMES HARVEY BANNED FROM PLYMOUTH AFTER SEX OFFENDER'S COURT ORDER

In a significant legal development in Plymouth, a court has issued a comprehensive and restrictive order against James Harvey, a 68-year-old convicted sex offender, following concerns over his interactions with minors. The court's decision was driven by evidence suggesting that Harvey had deliberately sought to establish a relationship with a young girl, raising serious fears about her safety and well-being.

Harvey, who previously served a seven-year prison sentence for the rape and indecent assault of a girl in 1999, was found to have gone out of his way to build a friendship with a minor, prompting magistrates to take decisive action. The court imposed an indefinite Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) on him, which is designed to prevent further harm and protect vulnerable children from potential exploitation.

This order explicitly prohibits Harvey from having any form of contact with individuals under the age of 18 unless such contact is strictly casual and occurs under the supervision of an approved adult. The supervising adult must be approved by both police and social services to ensure the safety of minors. Furthermore, Harvey is barred from residing in the same private residence as any child, a measure aimed at reducing the risk of unsupervised interactions that could lead to harm.

Harvey contested the order, denying allegations that he was grooming the girl for sexual activity. He insisted that he had never engaged in unsupervised contact with her at his residence in Plymouth. Despite his claims, magistrate Jane Mutch emphasized the court’s concerns, stating, “There is at least a possibility that he has had unsupervised contact and there is a risk of her being exposed to serious sexual harm. We have no doubts that an order is necessary.”

Magistrate Mutch further noted that Harvey’s relationship with the girl bore similarities to his previous relationship with his 1999 victim, which involved rape and indecent assault. The court was informed that Harvey remains on the Sex Offenders Register for life and is under police surveillance, reflecting the ongoing risk he poses.

Details from the court revealed that Harvey, who resides on St Levan Road in Plymouth, had bought presents for the girl and allowed her to sit on his knee, actions that raised alarm among authorities. Detective Constable Magnus Scott, a public protection officer, expressed concern over the adequacy of the protective measures in place, stating, “His sexual interest in children will remain with him for the rest of his life, it won’t go away. He has not done any work in prison. He is a risk to children and will remain so.”

Despite acknowledging his past offences from the 1990s, Harvey did not participate in prison programs designed to address sexual offending, which further contributed to the court’s decision to impose strict restrictions. The case underscores the ongoing challenges faced by authorities in managing convicted sex offenders and safeguarding children in the community.