A man from Keswick has been sentenced today to over 14 years in prison for historic sex offences committed more than four decades ago.
Raymond Harrison, aged 73,of Keswick, was sentenced today (18 February) at Carlisle Crown Court after a month-long trial where a jury found him guilty,
unanimously, of:
• Four counts of rape
• Two counts of indecency with a child
• Four counts of indecent assault
A jury had previously found Harrison guilty of three counts indecent assault.
The offences were committed against two schoolgirls in the Keswick area between 1979 and 1982. They were reported to police in 2017.
Detective Constable Mark Cox said: “Raymond Harrison has now been brought to justice for sexual abuse he subjected two children to, over 40 years ago.
“Both victims have been incredibly brave and courageous in reporting what happened to them, providing evidence throughout a lengthy investigation, and enduring a prolonged process in reaching an outcome for them.
“I hope that this sentence sends a clear message to the perpetrators that no matter how much time has passed, we will do everything within our power to hold such offenders accountable for their actions and bring them to justice.
“I also hope this encourages others who might have been subjected to such instances of historical abuse to come forward as no amount of time is a barrier to reporting offences.
“Support is available in Cumbria for victims of sexual offences. The Constabulary works closely with trusted partner agencies to provide the appropriate support which is tailored to an individual’s circumstances.
“If you have experienced any form of sexual abuse, or know of a child being abused, please come forward and report this to police.
“We take all such reports extremely seriously and if you can find the courage to come forward and speak to us we have specially trained officers who will treat you with sensitivity and compassion.”
To report a crime, please call police on 101.
Always dial 999 in an emergency.
If you have been affected by rape or sexual assault, contact The Bridgeway Sexual Assault Support Service’s 24/7 free helpline on 0808 118 6432.