UK Detective Pleads Guilty to Voyeurism, Faces Jail Time
A senior detective who investigated high-profile murder cases has admitted to voyeurism and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Detective Constable Lee Harshey-Jones, 45, has admitted to voyeurism after upskirting a teenage girl with his mobile phone. Harshey-Jones, who has investigated several high-profile murders, pleaded guilty to three charges at Chester Magistrates Court. These include voyeurism, intending to pervert the course of justice by wiping and resetting his phone to conceal evidence, and the improper accessing of an internal computer log related to the incident.
Harshey-Jones was arrested on June 11 in Colwyn Bay, Conwy, and was subsequently suspended by North Wales Police. He also pleaded guilty to a third charge of corrupt or improper use of police powers and privileges.
His defense attorney requested a pre-sentence report, noting Harshey-Jones's previous good character. The detective was granted conditional bail, with sentencing scheduled for November 19 at Chester Crown Court. The judge cautioned that the adjournment for a report should not be interpreted as an indication of the final sentence.
Operating equipment beneath clothing without consent is an offense under the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
Harshey-Jones was the lead investigator in the 2021 case of two-year-old Ethan Ives-Griffiths, who died from systematic abuse and was murdered by his grandparents. He also investigated the 2023 murder of 65-year-old Mark Wilcox by Lauren Harris, 29, and has provided evidence in other significant trials.
Following his court appearance, North Wales Police confirmed that Harshey-Jones had resigned from the force. A spokesperson stated that criminal proceedings and misconduct protocols remain active, and the force could not comment further at this time.