Former North Wales Police detective pleads guilty to 'upskirting' child
A former North Wales Police detective has pleaded guilty to taking pictures beneath the clothing of a child.
Lee Harshey-Jones, 45, also pleaded guilty to acting to pervert the course of justice, and a third charge relating to the improper use of police privileges.
On Wednesday (September 30), Chester Magistrates Court heard that Harshey-Jones conducted a factory-reset of his mobile phone, to conceal evidence.
It also heard that he used his police privileges to view an internal force log of the incident.
Dressed in a dark suit, and brown tie, Harshey-Jones only spoke to confirm his name, and pleaded guilty to the charges.
He was previously suspended from duties with North Wales Police following the incident involving a teenage girl in the Colwyn Bay Area.
On Wednesday, North Wales Police said: "Detective Constable Lee Harshey-Jones, who has now resigned from the force, appeared at Chester Crown Court this morning (Wednesday, 30 September).
"During the hearing, he pleaded guilty to recording an image under clothing to observe another without consent, contrary to S.67A(1) and (4) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
"The charge related to an incident involving two juvenile females, which occurred on Thursday, 11 June.
"Harshey-Jones was quickly arrested and later charged by North Wales Police officers.
"His suspension from duty was imposed immediately."
The statement added: "Criminal proceedings and North Wales Police misconduct protocols remain active and the force is unable to provide comment at this time.
"Further updates on these proceedings will be provided when appropriate."
Harshey-Jones, from Rhos-on-Sea, Conwy county, was well known on the force and a lead investigator in the death of two-year-old Flintshire boy Ethan Ives-Griffiths.
He was released on conditional bail to be sentenced on November 19. Before leaving the court he was ordered to sign the sex offenders' register.
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