Controversy over former Met Police chief’s involvement in rape trial of teacher cleared in 26 minutes
Relatives of Kato Harris, 37, demand probe after teen accuser's rich parents bring in top law firm to get him convicted
A FORMER top cop was brought in as a “private investigator” on a rape case thrown out by a jury yesterday in under half an hour.
Kato Harris, 37, wept with relief and slumped to the floor in the dock when he was acquitted of raping a former teenage pupil.
But Mr Harris’ relatives last night demanded an investigation after the girl’s wealthy parents privately engaged a team of top lawyers for the case.
There were also questions surrounding the controversial role of retired former Met Deputy Assistant Commissioner Sue Akers, who was brought in to “assist”.
A relative told The Sun: “The way the girl’s parents threw money at this needs to be looked at.”
Geography teacher Mr Harris, who was acquitted in 26 minutes, yesterday said outside court: “There is a beautiful, wonderful world out there, and for 20 months I’ve been terrified of it.”
His nightmare ordeal began when the complainant’s headteacher asked her in April 2014 if she had ever suffered sexual abuse.
She replied “maybe” but in December that year she visited the head’s office and wrote: “I was raped” on a piece of paper.
The girl later told police Mr Harris raped her three times when they were left alone in a classroom at her previous school in 2013.
Her wealthy parents drafted in £600-an-hour lawyers Mishcon De Reya who decided to bring in Ms Akers as a private investigator.
Jurors heard Ms Akers held “a number of meetings with serving officers about the case” and asked for access to court papers.
Ms Akers was said to have “sought to give directions” to cops about “what they should do”.
She also spoke to the girl’s family several times.
Det Con Sarah Lloyd, the cop leading the investigation, later admitted such involvement was “unique”.
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CPS chiefs decided to charge Mr Harris, even though he maintained he had been taking medication that destroyed his libido.
Jurors would also be told the classroom where the alleged rapes took place had glass panels in the door and was in full view of passers-by.
Mr Harris’ lawyer William Clegg QC questioned the role of Ms Akers in court.
He said the girl gave a poor first interview to police but the second seemed “almost rehearsed”.
Mr Clegg revealed the girl had met Ms Akers twice.
He told the jury at Isleworth crown court: “That is why you’ve been told or I’ve asked questions about the former assistant commissioner Sue Akers and Mishcon de Reya.
“We wanted to know who they had been talking to before that second interview.
“We didn’t get any reliable answers in relation to that.”
Another partner in Mishcon De Reya is Alison Levitt QC, former principal legal adviser to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Levitt and Akers were both key figures in the investigation into journalists paying cash for stories.
Only one of 29 cases in the £14.7million probe resulted in a conviction – which is being appealed.
Summing up, Judge Martin Edmunds said: “There is no evidence Mishcon de Reya, unusual as it may be, diverted the police in their proposed inquiries.”
Mr Harris, from Richmond, South West London, said later: “I am extremely grateful for the decision of the jury.
“I always had faith in British justice and the careful consideration of this case by the jury and the judge are testament to that.”
He added: “It is my sincere wish this extraordinary case does not deter people who have been victims of sexual assault from coming forward in the future.”
Last night Mishcon de Reya said it “had been retained by the complainant’s family” and added: “We do not discuss ongoing client matters.”
Ms Akers, who retired in 2012, said last night: “My role seems to have been blown out of all proportion in terms of influence and reach.
“I was there to advise the family on police investigations.”
She added: “It’s the police who have presented the case to the CPS and it was the CPS who decided there was sufficient evidence to charge.”
Teen girl who claimed rape
THE identity of the teenager, who lives in the south of England, is protected by the Sexual Offences Act despite Mr Harris being innocent.
She has gone to an expensive private school and her parents are rich executives.
Her father works in finance and the family own property worth up to £10million in total.
The girl had a history of illness and saw a psychologist several times in connection with panic attacks.
At one point in 2012 she also saw a hypnotist.
Her parents even jetted her to New York to visit a psychiatrist, amassing a weekly bill of around £1,000.
She would finish her lessons, fly to America for therapy all day Tuesday before taking a plane back for school on Wednesday.
The pupil had refused to give all her social media details to police when they asked her in for interviews.
She also said she had been bullied by people in her school and had suffered a medical condition which she needed an op to correct.
The teenager moved boarding schools following the attack allegations.
Former Met Police boss
SUE Akers is a former Deputy Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police.
She was brought in to work with the girl’s family by law firm Mishcon de Reya.
Miss Akers retired in 2012 and was awarded a CBE in the 2013 Birthday Honours for services to policing.
She led Scotland Yard’s investigation into phone hacking, illegal payments and computer hacking.
The former top cop was mentioned frequently throughout Mr Harris’s trial and spoke to both the complainant’s family and the girl herself before the case.
Judge Martin Edmunds said in his summing up she had contacted and met with more senior officers and suggested lines of inquiry.
'Inspirational' Geography Sir
COLLEAGUES described Kato Harris, 37, as a “great and inspirational” teacher who was adored by his pupils.
A trusted friend, he was the man pals would go to for advice on difficult matters.
It was with the same compassion and empathy that when told of the allegations he would face, he simply asked: “What’s happened to that poor girl?”
In court he was polite and unassuming but frequently broke down in the dock.
It was revealed during the trial that he takes medication to battle anxiety.