Alan Harris, a 72-year-old criminal defence lawyer from Plymouth, Devon, was sentenced to 13 years in prison after being found guilty of sexually abusing vulnerable clients, including minors as young as 14. The court heard that Harris targeted individuals he believed would not be believed if they reported the abuse, conducting his assaults during consultations in police and court cells. This reprehensible behaviour spanned over three decades, with the offences committed against seven individuals, six of whom were male, between 1988 and 2015.

During the sentencing, survivors of Harris's abuse spoke out about the profound impact it had on their lives. One of the victims detailed the long-lasting damage caused by the sexual abuse and described how it affected his life path. He emphasized feeling vulnerable and initially trusting Harris due to his position as a professional, only to have that trust exploited. The victim’s account, alongside others, highlighted the emotional and psychological toll that Harris's actions had on his victims, underscoring the significant hurt hidden behind the courtroom proceedings.

Harris showed little remorse during the proceedings, demonstrating a lack of understanding of the severity of his actions and their influence on survivor's lives. The case shines a light on the failures of systems meant to protect vulnerable individuals and emphasizes the critical need for accountability within professional fields, especially those interacting with at-risk populations. The sentence aims not only to provide justice for the victims but also to serve as a warning to prevent such abuses in the future.