Dangerous paedophile who sexually abused four boys in Formby jailed for four years

Ian Robert Harris, 46, found guilty of 15 offences involving indecent assault and indecency during the 1980s.

A dangerous paedophile who sexually abused four boys in Formby the 1980s was jailed for four years.

Ian Robert Harris, 46, denied a string of historic sexual offences, but was convicted after a trial at Liverpool Crown Court. Harris, of Alderson Crescent, Formby, was found guilty of 15 counts involving indecent assault and indecency.

The court heard they took place between March 1984 and March 1988, when Harris was aged between 15 and 18-years-old.

Judge Alan Conrad, QC, said the offences against two of the boys, who were all aged about nine when the offending began, involved threats.

The judge said: “You used your physical presence, your greater sophistication and a combination of inducements and threats in order to initiate and to continue your abuse of them.”

Judge Conrad said Harris, formerly of Lonsdale Road, Formby, had only been in his late teens, but was still considerably older than his victims. He said he had shown no remorse and claimed the victims had conspired against him, but this was dimissed by the jury.

Neville Biddle, defending, said apart from these convictions, Harris had lived a law-abiding life.

He said the defendant was concerned about the impact of going to prison on his wife and that she would now have to move away from the area. Judge Conrad said if Harris had been older when the offences took place, the sentence would have been longer.

He ordered him to sign on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Speaking after the case, Detective Constable Claire McDonald said: “Harris’s victims have shown an immense amount of bravery in coming forward and having to re-live the abuse they suffered at his hands.

“I hope his sentencing gives them some sense of closure and also provides wider reassurance that a dangerous and determined sex offender is now behind bars.

“Their adult lives have been deeply affected by these crimes and they have all found the process of going to court extremely traumatic.”

Det Con McDonald said specially trained officers and lawyers in Merseyside Police’s Unity team were by the victims’ side throughout the investigation and trial to provide support and to see justice being done.

She said: “Harris’ victims have found the courage to finally speak out and report his crimes.

“I would like to pay tribute to their dignity and bravery.

“I’d also like to thank officers and our partners in the Crown Prosecution Service for their dedication and commitment throughout what has been a long and complex investigation.

“Time should never be a barrier to obtaining justice and we take every report of sexual offences extremely seriously, whether or not they are recent.

“We have dedicated officers within the force’s Unity Team who are specially trained to both thoroughly investigate allegations and make sure that those reporting them are properly supported.

“I would like to take this opportunity to reassure and urge anyone who has suffered a sexual offence that if you can find the courage to come forward and speak to us, we will deal with you sensitively and make sure reports are properly and thoroughly investigated.”

You can call officers in the specialist Unity team on 0151 777 1382.

Information can also be passed to Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Story and photo source: Liverpool Echo