William Harrison, a 63-year-old resident of Armstrong Street, Bradford, has been sentenced to four years in prison after attempting to lure two young girls into his car in Shipley. The incident occurred in September 2022 and has left the community shocked and concerned.
The Offences
Harrison pleaded guilty to the following charges:
- Taking a Child to Remove Them from a Person Having Lawful Custody: Harrison approached two eight-year-old girls inside an Asda supermarket, offering them sweets. Security footage captured him at the checkout and later walking back to his car.
- Causing/Inciting a Girl Under 13 to Engage in Sexual Activity: After showing the girls an explicit image of himself on his mobile phone, Harrison attempted to entice them further by offering money to get into his car.
Swift Action and Community Support
Thankfully, the girls managed to escape the situation unharmed. Two vigilant members of the public stepped in to help, ensuring the girls were safely taken home. Their quick thinking and intervention prevented a potentially tragic outcome.
Sentencing and Protective Measures
On Thursday, at Bradford Crown Court, Harrison received a four-year prison sentence. In addition, he has been made subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and a restraining order. Furthermore, he will be listed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.
Detective Inspector Tom Swift’s Statement
Acting Detective Inspector Tom Swift, from Bradford District’s Safeguarding Team, emphasised the rarity of such incidents but underscored their gravity: “This was truly every parent’s worst nightmare. Harrison is a danger to children.” He commended the bravery of the victims in coming forward and reporting the crimes, acknowledging that Harrison’s guilty plea spared them from reliving the traumatic incident.
