Detective admits upskirting teenage girl with his phone

Pictured here is Detective Constable Lee Harshey-Jones. A shamed senior detective who led a child murder probe has admitted using a hidden camera to "upskirt" two schoolgirls. Detective Constable Lee Harshey-Jones, 45, was previously hailed for his work as a lead investigator in the horrific murder of two-year-old Ethan Ives-Griffiths. But he was later arrested by his own colleagues for using "equipment beneath clothing without consent." A court heard he later tried to cover up his crimes by doing a "factory reset" on his phone. The alarm was raised following an incident in Colwyn Bay, North Wales, involving two "juvenile" girls. A court heard the alleged offence on June 11 took place in front of witnesses who were also under the age of 16. The former respected officer was suspended from duties from the North Wales Police force after his arrest and has since resigned. Harshey-Jones pleaded guilty to operating equipment beneath clothing without consent under the Sexual Offences Act 2003. Harshey-Jones, also admitted corrupt or other improper exercise of police powers and privileges, and to a charge of perverting the course of justice at Chester Crown Court. A pre-sentence report was ordered ahead of Harshey-Jones' sentence in November 19. Judge, Recorder Mark Ford KC told him: "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." North Wales Police said: "Harshey-Jones was quickly arrested and later charged by North Wales Police officers. "His suspension from duty was imposed immediately." Hershey-Jones had been the lead investigator whe little Ethan was murdered by his own grandparents Michael and Kerry Ives in Garden City, Flintshire, in August 2021. Det Con Harshey-Jones spoke out about the impact of the case on police officers - and said: "We've all had to suffer." WALES NEWS SERVICE

A detective has admitted upskirting a teenage girl.

Lee Harshey-Jones, 45, admitted a count of voyeurism when he appeared at Chester Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.

The detective constable was the lead investigator in the case of two-year-old Ethan Ives-Griffiths, who was murdered by his grandparents, Michael and Kerry Ives, in 2021.

Jurors were visibly upset at points during the trial last year. CCTV was played showing Michael Ives carrying Ethan by the top of his arm and appearing to punch him after putting him in a car seat.

Harshey-Jones was arrested over the incident in Colwyn Bay, Conwy, on June 11 and was later suspended by his employers North Wales Police.

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The detective also pleaded guilty to intending to pervert the course of justice when he factory-set his phone in an attempt to conceal evidence from criminal investigations.

He pleaded guilty to a third charge of corrupt or improper use of police powers and privileges by viewing an internal log of the incident.

Ryan Donoghue, defending, asked for a pre-sentence report for his client, who he said was of previous good character.

Conditional bail for Harshey-Jones was extended until his sentencing date on November 19 at Chester Crown Court.

Recorder Mark Ford KC told him: ‘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.’

Following Harshey-Jones’s court appearance on Wednesday, North Wales Police said the former officer had resigned from the force.

In a statement, the force said: ‘Criminal proceedings and North Wales Police misconduct protocols remain active and the force is unable to provide comment at this time.’

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