Flint sex offender sentenced to 18 years in prison
A 49-year-old sex offender from Flint has been jailed for more than 18 years for facilitating the rape of young children.
Stephen Harris, of Church Street, was caught in a covert police operation targeting online child sex offenders. He believed he was speaking with a likeminded adult but was in fact communicating with an undercover police officer.
Harris shared his sexual interests and suggested he wanted to meet to facilitate the rape of the officer’s fictional children, who he was told were aged six and three months. He also discussed meeting others to penetrate animals.
At the time he was on licence and subject to the restrictions of the sex offenders register, having repeatedly breached a sexual harm prevention order.
Following a referral to North Wales Police, Harris was arrested and his devices were seized. Officers found more than 2,000 indecent images of children, ranging from newborn babies to children up to 10 years old.
He admitted 11 charges including arranging or facilitating the rape of a child, three counts of distributing indecent images of children, three counts of possession of indecent images, possession of an extreme pornographic image, possession of prohibited images of children and two counts of breaching a sexual harm prevention order.
At Mold Crown Court on Monday, 1 September, Harris was given an extended sentence of 18 and a half years. This included 13 and a half years in prison and an additional licence period of five years. He will also be subject to lifetime notification requirements and a sexual harm prevention order.
Investigating officer, Detective Constable Morgan Thomas said: “Thankfully, there were no children at risk of being sexually harmed by Harris in this instance, however, that is not always the case.
“Harris’ dark sexual desires pose a serious risk of harm to children, and the community will now be a safer place while he faces the consequences of his behaviour in prison.”
Check live fuel prices near you before you set off.
Spotted something? Got a story? Email news (@) deeside.com
NEW: Add Deeside.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Latest News
