TWICE-JAILED SEX OFFENDER WILLIAM HARRISON SENTENCED FOR ATTEMPTED RAPE AND EXPOSURE
William Harrison, aged 45 and residing on Hawksworth Road, Baildon near Ilkley, has been sentenced for multiple sex offenses, including attempted rape and exposure.He was found guilty of four charges in total.
The court sentenced him to at least two years and 333 days in prison for attempting to sexually assault a 24-year-old woman at Morley railway station in December of the previous year.
Additionally, Harrison was convicted of sexual assault and assault with a weapon related to that incident, along with two counts of indecent exposure involving children aged 12 and 13 at Howden Clough, Dewsbury.
Det Con Gary Heseltine of British Transport Police expressed satisfaction with the conviction, emphasizing that Harrison posed a serious risk to women and children.
He noted that Harrison did not fit the typical profile for such crimes, as he was a working man with a family, and credited a quick-thinking young victim who took a photo of his vehicle's number plate for aiding in his arrest.
The attack at Morley involved Harrison threatening the female victim with a knife and attempting to assault her.
Following the incident, police launched an investigation, which included arresting him on suspicion of exposing himself to children in Howden Clough.
The victim's quick action in photographing Harrison’s vehicle helped police connect him to the offenses.
Harrison was subsequently charged with the crimes committed at Morley and against the children in Dewsbury.
