[A] TEACHER convicted of repeatedly sexually assaulting a girl has been jailed for four years.
David Harrison’s victim told police how he put his hands down the front of her top and rubbed her chest on different occasions. During an interview, the child used two small mannequins as she demonstrated to an officer how Harrison had groped her.
His criminal conduct was said to have had a “profound and lasting” impact on the girl.
The 26-year-old, of Friars Garth, Abbeytown, denied any wrongdoing. But after a trial at Carlisle Crown Court he was unanimously convicted of four charges of sexually assaulting a child aged under 13.
It emerged during the trial that Harrison had also browsed “real life” internet child sex abuse stories on a laptop seized by police upon his arrest.
Sentence was passed today (TUES) by Judge Peter Hughes QC, who concluded that Harrison had “targeted” the girl. He still denied his guilty, and had shown no remorse for his offending.
Harrison must sign the sex offenders’ register for life, and abide by the terms of a sexual harm prevention order indefinitely. He will also be barred from working with children and vulnerable adults.
Judge Hughes told Harrison: “You have destroyed your teaching career, and brought lasting shame upon yourself.”
Detective Constable Deborah Story, North Cumbria Public Protection Unit, said: “Firstly I would like to praise the victim in this case for showing immense courage in reporting what had happened to her.
“We are pleased that Harrison will now serve time for his crimes. He has shown a total lack of remorse for his actions by denying the offences.
“I would like to reiterate our commitment to investigating thoroughly any reports of sexual offence – whether recent or non-recent. I would urge anyone listening who has been subject to offences of this nature to come forward. You will be listened to.”
If you wish to report a crime or speak to an officer about an incident, please contact Cumbria Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
