Sailor who shot girlfriend walks free from court - due to job on UK warship job

24 September 2023 , 12:18

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Navy serviceman Harley Moore has escaped punishment for assaults due to his job on one of Britain's flagship aircraft carriers (Image: KMG / SWNS)

A Royal Navy sailor who shot his girlfriend and attacked two other women has walked free from court due to his role on the UK's biggest warship. Harley Moore could now return to HMS Prince of Wales despite admitting to four counts of assault by beating at Margate Magistrates' Court.

The court heard how the 18-year old shot his girlfriend in a jealous rage at their home in Deal, Kent, on May 30. Prosecuting, Maria Goptareva explained: "They were in the bedroom discussing their relationship and he was shooting the BB gun around the room. He then turned around and shot her foot." Despite being "shaken up" by her ordeal, Moore's girlfriend accompanied him on a night out 24 hours later with one of her friends.

That night another attack place, meanwhile, with the victim telling police she was forced to flee into Deal's Sir Norman Wisdom Wetherspoons pub as Moore was "practically foaming at the mouth and spitting at me". She continued, telling cops at the time that Moore then followed her into the toilets where he "pushed me up against the wall".

Moore could soon return to HMS Prince of Wales depending on the outcome of a Royal Navy internal review into his conduct (Shaun Roster / SWNS.com)

"He went to hit me and missed – but he caught me with his nails," she added. "Then he turned around and hit [my friend], causing her to fall backwards." The court heard that a female Wetherspoons employee subsequently intervened and pointed to the door - only to have her arm pushed away by Moore.

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The pub frenzy saw Moore's girlfriend suffer a scratch to her face, whilst her friend was left with a bruised back. In an impact statement, his girlfriend said: "The whole incident has made me feel very shaken up and upset because I never imagined he could hit me. I am shocked that someone I thought I loved could do this to me and my friend."

Magistrates refused to hand grateful Moore a community service order in order to protect his job and even wished him "the best" on his departure from court on Thursday. He was ordered to pay £200 in compensation to his girlfriend, however, as well as £100 each to her pal and the pub worker - plus court costs of £85 and a £26 victim surcharge. He was also told to forfeit and destroy his BB gun.

Chair magistrate David Gibbons said: "We in no way wish for Mr Moore to lose his job – we wish him the best with that. But we can’t let his job mean that he escapes justice. He told the defendant: "Mr Moore you’re aware our hands have been tied in what we can do to punish you for this. The incident was severe and you were unpleasant to three different people.

"While the offences are deserving of a community order, it has become apparent that this is unworkable, so we will be going down the route of a conditional discharge. This will be for three years. Should you commit another offence within that time you can be punished for today’s offence and any new offences."

Defending Moore, Ian Bond said his client was on leave at the time of the attacks and had been upset that his girlfriend had embarked on a trip to London with another man. Describing the BB gun assault, he said: "It fires very small plastic rounds – about the size of a pea, a petit pois. Mr Moore said: "I’m sorry – I was trying to shoot your shoe.'

"But the next day things are still simmering and this young man has behaved as badly as he did because of his frustration and because he’d had too much to drink. He’s genuinely remorseful. Chief Petty Officer Darrell Binner, who attended court with Moore said internal disciplinary action will also be taken by his employer. "The Navy takes a very seriously dim view of what Mr Moore has done and he will receive appropriate punishments from his commanding officer," he said.

"That could mean a dock in his pay, extra duties or even being discharged. He is returning to Portsmouth while transportation is arranged to get him back on the ship – the vessel is operational and it requires a full crew. The Navy would not be able to comply with a court order for him to complete community service."

Alan Johnson