Emerald businessman Kerry Leigh Harrold sentenced in District Court
More details have emerged after child sexual abuse convictions against a churchgoing business leader and ex council candidate sent shockwaves through his country Queensland community.
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The Central Highlands community is reeling over shock revelations well-known Emerald businessman and former council candidate Kerry Leigh Harrold sexually abused two children over a number of years in the early 2000s.
The 43-year-old father of five, who was born in Springsure, grew up in Rolleston and graduated from Emerald State High School, was jailed on Tuesday after pleading guilty to five child sexual offences.
Harrold had worked as a Central Queensland and Central West region property valuer for Herron Todd White in Emerald for the past 19 years and also an associate of the Australian Property Institute.
He was heavily involved in the Hopelands Church community in Emerald, as well as holding roles with various organisations including the Emerald Show Society, Comet Campdraft Association and Cooking With Heavy Metal.
In 2012 and 2016, he ran in the Central Highlands Regional Council election.
Speaking to this publication during the 2012 election campaign, Mr Harrold said he ‘believed greatly in protecting families as they are the essential piece of fabric that has built our communities’, a statement in shocking contrast to the multiple offences against children to which he has pleaded guilty.
It is understood the case against Harrold has been ongoing for more than four years.
Harrold was sentenced in Emerald District Court on Tuesday, September 13, 2022, after he pleaded guilty on September 12 to a slew of sexual offences against children under 16-years-old.
These included indecent treatment of a child under 12, three counts of indecent treatment of a child under 16 and one count of maintaining an unlawful relationship with a child.
The exact dates of the offending are not known but the court heard Harrold’s offending began more than a decade ago.
Two female victims were involved in the offending.
Judge Kent KC sentenced Harrold to a head sentence of two years and six months imprisonment, suspended for an operational period of three years after serving nine months, and a probation order of three years.
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Originally published as Emerald businessman Kerry Leigh Harrold sentenced in District Court
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