Salmon farming inquiry witness jailed for 10 years for sex crimes

A former Highland Council planning team lead who gave evidence to two Scottish Parliament salmon farming inquiries has been jailed for 10 years for historic sexual abuse.

The Northamptonshire Telegraph reported that Mark Harvey, formerly of Northamptonshire, but most recently from Elishadder Township Road, Culnacnock, Portree, Skye, appeared before His Honour Judge David Herbert KC on December 6 to be sentenced for a string of serious sex offences.

Harvey denied the offences but was found guilty following a jury trial at the end of October.

The charges included three counts of gross indecency, two sexual assaults and one count of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity against a very young girl in Northamptonshire several decades ago.

Evidence session

Harvey first gave evidence to the Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee in February 2018 as part of its inquiry into salmon farming, which led to a list of recommendations from MSPs.

The planning officer was also part of an expert panel of witnesses who took part in an evidence session held on September 18 this year as part of the Scottish Parliament’s Rural Affairs and Islands Committee’s follow-up inquiry into the sector. The evidence session focused on spatial planning issues.

Harvey was also a central figure in a Highland Council meeting in September when members overturned a North Planning Applications Committee decision to block a new Organic Sea Harvest salmon farm at Balmaqueen, Skye.

A Highland Council spokesperson said: “The individual concerned is no longer an employee of The Highland Council. The Council does not comment on staff matters.”