Former North Wales Detective Pleads Guilty to Child Voyeurism and Evidence Tampering

A former detective constable has admitted to committing sexual offences against a child, including secretly capturing images beneath the victim's clothing without consent, a practice commonly referred to as "upskirting."

Lee Harshey-Jones, 45, entered guilty pleas at Chester Crown Court to one count of voyeurism and a separate charge of perverting the course of justice. The latter offence relates to his attempts to conceal evidence by performing a factory reset on his mobile phone. Both offences occurred on 11 June 2026 in Colwyn Bay, Conwy county.

In addition to the voyeurism and evidence-tampering charges, Harshey-Jones also pleaded guilty to a third count of corrupt or improper exercise of his police powers and privileges. This charge stemmed from him accessing the computer log to look up his own incident, an action that prosecutors argued constituted an abuse of his position as a serving officer.

The defendant, who has since resigned from North Wales Police, had been suspended from the force following his arrest. At the time of his offending, he held the rank of detective constable and served as a lead investigator in several high-profile cases across north Wales.

Among those cases was the murder of two-year-old Ethan Ives-Griffiths, a matter in which the child's grandparents were jailed last year. Harshey-Jones had also provided evidence in other significant murder trials in the region, a fact that underscores the seriousness of his fall from a position of trust within the criminal justice system.

During the brief hearing, Ryan Donoghue, representing Harshey-Jones, requested that a pre-sentence report be prepared for his client. The defence barrister noted that the former officer was of previous good character, a factor that may be considered during sentencing.

Recorder Mark Ford KC presided over the hearing and informed the defendant that he must sign the sex offenders register, a requirement that will place him under ongoing monitoring and restrict his activities upon release.

The recorder also issued a caution to Harshey-Jones, stating: "The fact that I have adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report should not be taken by you as any indication to you as to what sentence will be passed on these serious counts." This remark emphasised that the adjournment was procedural and not a signal of judicial leniency.

Harshey-Jones was granted conditional bail following the hearing. He is scheduled to return to court for sentencing on 19 November, when the full extent of his punishment will be determined.

The offence of operating equipment beneath clothing without consent is codified under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, which provides the legal framework for prosecuting voyeurism and related intrusions upon personal privacy. The legislation carries significant penalties, reflecting the serious nature of such violations.

North Wales Police confirmed that the former officer had resigned from the force. The constabulary added that because criminal proceedings and misconduct protocols remain active, it was unable to provide further comment at this time.

The case raises troubling questions about the conduct of a senior investigator entrusted with upholding the law, particularly given his involvement in sensitive and high-profile murder inquiries. The disclosure that he accessed his own incident on the police computer log suggests an attempt to monitor or influence the investigation into his behaviour, compounding the breach of trust.

Legal experts note that charges of perverting the course of justice are viewed severely by the courts because they strike at the heart of the justice system's ability to establish the truth. When combined with sexual offences against a child, the gravity of the case is substantially heightened.

The requirement to sign the sex offenders register means Harshey-Jones will be subject to notification requirements for a period determined by the court, restricting his movement and associations. This measure is designed to protect the public and assist authorities in monitoring individuals convicted of sexual offences.

The case has been adjourned for a pre-sentence report to assess the defendant's background, the risk he poses, and any mitigating circumstances before a final sentence is handed down. Such reports are standard practice in serious cases and assist the judge in crafting an appropriate punishment.

As the sentencing date approaches, the matter remains under active review by both the courts and police misconduct authorities. The outcome will be closely watched, not only for its impact on the defendant but also for what it reveals about oversight and accountability within North Wales Police.