A Keswick pensioner who repeatedly raped one girl and carried out a string of indecent assaults on a second female more than 40 years ago was branded a monster and cowardly creature as he was handed a prison sentence totalling more than 14 years.
Raymond Harrison, 73, was convicted yesterday by a Carlisle Crown Court jury of cruel sex crimes committed around the turn of the 1980s when he was aged in his late 20s or early 30s, and working as a farmer.
Harrison denied any wrongdoing. But after hearing all evidence, including detailed accounts given by the two victims as adults, jurors found him guilty, unanimously, of 10 offences after a trial lasting several weeks.
These were four charges of rape — some covering multiple occasions — and two charges of indecency with a child, in respect of one victim; and four indecent assault crimes against the second girl. In addition, Harrison was convicted on three counts of indecent assault relating to the first girl after a previous trial.
The 2025 jury heard how the girls got to know Harrison independent of each other, and would be bought cigarettes or sweets.
The girl raped by Harrison informed police he had said it should be their secret, making a threat as he warned that she shouldn’t tell anybody. The court heard Harrison indecently assaulted the other girl by kissing and putting his tongue in her mouth, and also by touching her intimately under clothing.
As Harrison, of Keswick, was sentenced this afternoon, statements provided by the two women were read by prosecutor Kim Whittlestone.
These outlined the profound impact on their lives over many decades and the fact that they had detected no signs of remorse from the defendant.
Both women were present in court, supported by relatives, while Harrison sat in the dock.
The woman raped by Harrison said: “All my life I have suffered because of Raymond Harrison.
“He has robbed me of my childhood and my self-esteem. His disgusting offences have left me with shame and self-loathing, severe anxiety and PTSD. The only one who should feel guilt and shame is that pathetic coward.”
Of the sentencing exercise, she said: “For me this is not closure or the end of this matter. For me it will never be over. Today, justice may finally be done but I will continue to serve my life sentence because of this arrogant and pathetic excuse for a human being.
“He is a dangerous man, and a manipulative, narcissistic, controlling, delusional and cowardly creature. The deep-rooted anger, frustration and despair is incalculable. He has destroyed my life and any sense of normality.”
The woman indecently assaulted by Harrison said: “Being the victim of childhood abuse creates an injury that cannot be mended or forgotten about. In addition it creates an unaccountable guilt and feeling of deep shame.”
She concluded her statement by addressing Harrison directly, saying: “Once over I would have listened to a heartfelt apology and help for yourself. I now never wish to hear your name again and hope you spend the rest of your days in total misery.”
Adrian Eissa KC, mitigating, asked Judge Nicholas Barker not to impose a crushingly long sentence which would extinguish all future hope for Harrison.
Jailing Harrison for 14 years and 61 days — taking into account time already spent in custody — Judge Barker told him: “The courts now understand the deeply corrosive effect that sexual abuse has on the development of children and how that stain is left long into their adult lives and will never be washed away.
“By contract, Raymond Harrison, you have yourself been able to live a life of undeserved respectability.
“You should for the last 40 years or so have been known north as a good, honest farmer but the sex offender you really are.”
Harrison must serve two-thirds of the jail term before being eligible for release. He must sign the sex offenders’ register for life.
