Ex-Scout leader's assaults on boys
A FORMER Swansea Scout leader has admitted sexually assaulting five young boys and possessing almost 2,000 indecent photographs of children.
Stuart Darren Harris fled to the United States while on police bail last January.
He returned to the UK in June after being found working as a nanny in New York.
Harris, aged 28, of Clos Pen y Banc, Clase, pleaded guilty to a 31-count indictment when he appeared yesterday at Swansea Crown Court.
He admitted sexually assaulting five boys under the age of 13; 20 offences of making indecent photographs of children and possessing 1,935 such images last year.
During yesterday's short hearing, Judge John Diehl QC discussed legal issues in the case with barristers Jim Davis and John Hipkin, who appeared respectively for the prosecution and the defence.
Harris, who is in custody, then entered guilty pleas to all the charges faced by him.
He will be sentenced in a few weeks after reports have been prepared for the court by a psychiatrist and a probation officer.
Adjourning, Judge Diehl said a prison sentence was inevitable.
He told the defendant: "You must remain in custody in the meantime. Do you understand that?"
Harris replied: "Thank you, Your Honour — yes."
Harris disappeared from Swansea in the early hours of New Year's Day while on police bail.
Last June, magistrates were told how he had gone to America, where — using an assumed name — he had found a job as a nanny looking after two boys.
When Harris was still at large, his mother, Margaret Harris, made an emotional appeal in the Evening Post for him to come home.
She said at the time: "If he comes home, there will be no argument at all.
"I want him back so I can give him a hug."
5 Comments
by anon, swansea
Tuesday, September 30 2008, 2:00PM
“here we are again hearing of yet another person in a position of trust abusing children. so much for crb checks, their not worth the paper their written on as you have to get caught first by which time the damage is done”
by Scouter, Swansea
Tuesday, September 30 2008, 1:59PM
“Sadly it only takes one person like this to undo all the good work and trust, also precious time given so freely by many other Scout Leaders. We give up our time to look after and teach both boys and girls a whole range of skills. We also go camping during the summer months where they learn outdoor and survival skills. The parents of our charges trust us to look after their children in every respect. It would be a sad day if people like Harris was to damage the Scouting movement by his actions. As well as being a Scouter I am also a parent and condem his actions.”
by sam, swansea
Tuesday, September 30 2008, 10:24AM
“Lets hope that he will get a sentence that fits the crime which should be a very long sentence indeed, and not a mickey mouse sentence that they usually get. I am friends with one of the boys family and i have seen first hand the effects that this has had on them and i can tell you now thats its not a possision that i would want to see that family go through again.
This monster needs to be locked up and the key thrown away, he needs to rot in jail, as he has ruined the lives of those young boys I have seen day to day the effects that this has left on this young boy, and I have seen him change from a fun loving young boy into a boy that has had his life ruined, I dont even know how stuarts mother could stand by and say that she will forgive him for what he has done im sorry i would never forgive any child of mine for anything like that. He is nothing but a sick vile and perverted individual that should never be free to roam the streets again.”
by ALEX, SWANSEA
Tuesday, September 30 2008, 9:26AM
“A man using his power to abuse boys, How disgusting. This man should be sent down for life, meaning life in a cold dark cell. What is wrong with people???”
by Anon, Swansea
Tuesday, September 30 2008, 7:42AM
“We see this kind of thing happen too often.Members of the church, scout leaders, martial arts instructor etc abusing kids.The only good thing is there must be investigations going on and these scum are being found out.The harm has already been done to the poor kids, but at least justice seems to be done.”