Police Officer Charged
North Wales Detective Appears in Court Facing Upskirting and Corruption Charges
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Key Points
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Harshey-Jones faces additional offences beyond upskirting, including committing an act/series of acts with intent to pervert the course of public justice and corrupt/improper exercise of police powers and privileges by a constable.
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The alleged incident occurred on June 11 in Colwyn Bay, specifically on Abergele Road.
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Harshey-Jones has experience as a lead investigator and has given evidence in other high-profile murder trials in north Wales.
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Some reports indicated a provisional trial date of August 16, 2027, while others cite September 30 as the plea/trial preparation date, reflecting changes in scheduling.
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During the initial hearing, Harshey-Jones appeared at Chester Crown Court wearing a black suit and tie and was granted conditional bail.
A North Wales detective has been charged with upskirting a child — secretly filming beneath her clothing without consent — and appeared at Chester Crown Court this week. Detective Constable Lee Harshey-Jones, 45, from Rhos-on-Sea, Conwy, was suspended from duty after the alleged incident on June 11 in Colwyn Bay, according to Wales Online.
Harshey-Jones faces multiple serious charges. Beyond upskirting, he is accused of attempting to pervert the course of justice and the corrupt exercise of police powers. He did not enter a plea at his first appearance and was granted conditional bail, ITV reported.
What Harshey-Jones Is Accused of Doing
The alleged incident took place on Abergele Road in Colwyn Bay on June 11, according to Rhyl Journal. Harshey-Jones is accused of using equipment to record images beneath a child's clothing without her consent. That offence is commonly called upskirting and falls under the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
The charges go further than the upskirting offence alone. Prosecutors also allege he committed acts intended to pervert the course of public justice and misused his police powers. These are serious additional charges that suggest investigators believe he may have tried to interfere with the case against him.
Suspended Detective Had Led High-Profile Murder Cases
Harshey-Jones was an experienced detective with North Wales Police. He served as a lead investigator in the death of two-year-old Ethan Ives-Griffiths, Nation Cymru reported. The boy's grandparents were convicted of murder and jailed in 2025 in a case that drew widespread attention across north Wales.
He also gave evidence in other high-profile murder trials in the region, according to ITV. North Wales Police suspended him from duty shortly after the alleged incident in June. His suspension means he is off active duty while the criminal case moves forward.
Trial Date Set for August 2027 After Court Hearing
Harshey-Jones appeared at Chester Crown Court wearing a black suit and tie for his first hearing. He did not enter a plea. A provisional trial date was set for August 16, 2027, according to Yahoo News. The court also set a plea and trial preparation date for September 30, reflecting ongoing scheduling changes.
Conditional bail was granted, meaning Harshey-Jones is free until the next court date but must comply with set conditions. The case remains at an early stage. No verdict or plea has been entered, and the trial is not expected to begin for more than a year, Nation Cymru reported.
What Upskirting Means Under UK Law
Upskirting became a specific criminal offence in England and Wales under the Voyeurism (Offences) Act 2019. It means using a device — such as a phone or camera — to take images under someone's clothing without their knowledge or consent. The law was introduced after high-profile campaigning by victims.
Convictions can result in a prison sentence and placement on the sex offenders register. When the victim is a child, as alleged here, the offence is treated with particular seriousness. Harshey-Jones has not yet entered a plea, and he is presumed innocent unless found guilty by a court.
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