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Formby man, Ian Robert
Harris, found guilty of a number of historic sexual offences
MERSEYSIDE Police can confirm that a 46
year old man was sentenced to 4 years in prison at Liverpool Crown Court on
Friday, 7 August 2015, after being found guilty of a number of historic sexual
offences. Ian Robert Harris, 46, from Formby, was found guilty on 15 sexual
offences Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday, 30 July 2015. All of the offences
are historic and date back to the 1980's when Harris was a teenager. The four
victims were boys at the time of the offences. As well as being sentenced to 4
years in prison he was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders' Register for life.
Detective Constable Claire McDonald, said:- "Harris is starting a long
prison sentence after a jury found him guilty of a number of offences carried
out over a 3 year period, in the early 1980's, whilst he was living in the
Formby area. Harris' victims have shown an immense amount of bravery in coming
forward and having to re-live the abuse they suffered at Harris' 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. Specially trained
officers and lawyers in Merseyside Police's Unity team have been by their side
throughout the investigation and trial to provide support and to ensure their
evidence was presented to the court and to see justice being done. His victims
have found the courage to finally speak out and report his crimes and 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 Merseyside Police takes every
report of sexual offences extremely seriously, whether or not they are recent,
and has 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 that reports are properly and thoroughly investigated."
People can call officers in the force's specialist Unity team on:- 0151 777
1382. Information can also be passed to Crimestoppers, anonymously, on:- 0800
555 111.
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