Advertisement

Former British teacher found guilty of sexually abusing street boys in Kenya

A former public school teacher has been convicted of sexually abusing vulnerable young Kenyan str...
Newstalk
Newstalk

13.32 16 Dec 2014


Share this article


Former British teacher found g...

Former British teacher found guilty of sexually abusing street boys in Kenya

Newstalk
Newstalk

13.32 16 Dec 2014


Share this article


A former public school teacher has been convicted of sexually abusing vulnerable young Kenyan street boys.

Charity boss Simon Harris (55) had denied luring vulnerable boys using food, money and the promise of schooling to his home in the East African country - where prosecutors said the abuse happened.

Harris, from Pudleston Herefordshire in the UK, has been on trial at Birmingham Crown Court for nine weeks.

Advertisement

The trial has seen testimony from witnesses over a 6,500-mile video link.

The jury unanimously found Harris guilty of five sex assaults - including against a victim as young as nine - and on two counts of indecent assault.

He was also found to be guilty of four counts of possessing indecent images of children.

However, jurors acquitted him of seven charges including rape, attempted rape and sexual assault.

Judge Philip Parker QC has told the jury he will accept majority verdicts on the remaining five offences, which include an allegation of rape against a child under 13.

Reporter Enda Brady said the court heard how Harris used his position as a charity worker to abuse the youngsters.

It is the first time new legislation has been used to successfully prosecute a British citizen for offences committed in Africa.


Share this article


Read more about

News

Most Popular