Harold Covell

Harold Covell, an 85-year-old former scuba diving instructor from Ripon, North Yorkshire, faced charges of sexually assaulting two girls during his time as a long-standing instructor. The case was heard at Newcastle Crown Court, where Covell, also known as Archie Covell, was considered unfit to plead by Judge Robert Spragg last year due to significant health issues following a head injury from a fall in July 2022.

Despite his unfitness to plead, a hearing proceeded in December, during which a jury determined that Covell had indeed committed the acts of sexual assault as accused. On Monday, February 9, 2025, sentencing took place in Covell's absence, as he was excused from attending due to being bedridden and unable to leave home except for medical appointments. Psychiatric and Probation Service reports highlighted his impaired cognitive functioning, rendering him unable to follow the proceedings.

Judge Spragg emphasised the public interest in proceeding with the case for the sake of the complainants, stating, 'there was an obvious and clear public interest that the case went ahead, as it did, for the sake of the complainants.' Covell had no previous convictions, and the probation report assessed him as posing little risk of further serious harm. However, due to his medical condition, the only possible outcome was absolute discharges on both counts, which the judge described as 'inadequate, but entirely dictated due to the injury suffered by him in July 2022.'

As a result of the absolute discharges, Covell was not required to register as a sex offender, and no Sexual Harm Prevention Order was deemed necessary or appropriate. The judge noted that the finding that Covell had 'done the acts' complained of might provide some level of closure for the two complainants, who were informed they could apply for compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. The offences occurred while Covell was an active instructor, though specific dates were not detailed in court reports from The Northern Echo via Darlington and Stockton Times.