North Wales Police detective charged with upskirting in court
North Wales Police detective constable Lee Harshey-Jones, 45, appeared at Chester Crown Court charged with upskirting and related offences after an alleged Colwyn Bay incident involving two juvenile females. He entered no plea, remains suspended, and was bailed until 30 September with a provisional trial set for August 2027.
Key Takeaways
- Det Con Lee Harshey-Jones appeared at Chester Crown Court on 14 July 2026 and did not enter a plea.
- North Wales Police said he faces charges of operating equipment beneath clothing without consent, perverting the course of justice, and improper exercise of police powers.
- The force linked the charges to an incident reported in Colwyn Bay on 11 June involving two juvenile females.
- He was arrested the same day, charged, immediately suspended, and released on conditional bail until 30 September.
- A provisional trial date has been set for 16 August 2027.
What charges does the North Wales Police detective face?
According to a North Wales Police statement reported by North Wales Live, Detective Constable Lee Harshey-Jones is charged with operating equipment beneath clothing without consent, contrary to section 67A(1) and (4) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. That offence is commonly known as upskirting.
The force also said he faces counts of perverting the course of justice and corrupt or other improper exercise of police powers and privileges by a constable. The BBC reported that operating equipment beneath clothing without consent is an offence under the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
For wider coverage of court cases and investigations, see BlasterPost's True Crime & Unsolved Mysteries category.
What happened in Colwyn Bay, and when was he arrested?
North Wales Police said the charges relate to an incident involving two juvenile females reported in the Colwyn Bay area on Thursday, 11 June. Harshey-Jones was arrested in connection with that incident later the same day.
He was charged and immediately suspended from duty. The BBC said the alleged incident involved a teenage girl in Colwyn Bay, Conwy county, in June, and that he was suspended from duties afterward.
Harshey-Jones is from Rhos-on-Sea in Conwy county, the BBC reported.
What did the Chester Crown Court hearing decide?
Harshey-Jones attended a brief hearing at Chester Crown Court on Tuesday, 14 July 2026. Reporting from the court, the BBC said he did not enter a plea.
He was released on conditional bail until 30 September, with a provisional trial date set for 16 August 2027. Nation.Cymru reported that no pleas were entered as that trial date was fixed, and that he was granted conditional bail ahead of a case management hearing at the same court on 30 September.
Why is the case drawing wider attention?
Beyond the gravity of the allegations against a serving detective, the case has drawn notice because of Harshey-Jones's prior investigative role. The BBC said he was a lead investigator in the death of two-year-old Ethan Ives-Griffiths, whose grandparents were jailed for murder in 2025.
Nation.Cymru also reported that he has given evidence in other high-profile murder trials in north Wales. North Wales Police said further updates on proceedings will be provided when appropriate. He has not entered a plea, and the allegations have not been proven in court.