R v Brian Harrison

Facts

The appellant, Brian Harrison, pleaded guilty in the Crown Court at Newcastle upon Tyne to six counts of historical sexual abuse committed in the 1970s, when he was 17: four counts of indecent assault on a male contrary to section 15(1) of the Sexual Offences Act 1956 and two counts of indecency with a child contrary to section 1(1) of the Indecency with Children Act 1960. The victim, referred to as V, was a 6 year old boy whom the appellant minded at his home while V's mother attended dance classes nearby. The appellant showed V pornographic magazines, described as "what adults do", made V suck his penis on three occasions, sucked V's penis, tried to masturbate V, and had V masturbate him on a number of occasions, telling V they had "a boy's secret". The offending came to light only when V reported it to the police in 2024 following therapy; the appellant made full admissions in interview and indicated guilty pleas at the first opportunity. On 10 October 2025 His Honour Judge Adams sentenced him to a total of four years and four months' imprisonment, imposed on count 2 with all other sentences concurrent. He appealed against sentence with the leave of the single judge.