ANDRE MORTON JAILED IN LEEDS FOR HISTORIC CHILD SEX ABUSE
Andre Morton, now 49, has been sentenced to prison after a jury found him guilty in February this year of six counts of indecent assault of a child and two counts of indecency with a child, more than three decades after the original offenses.The victim, who was just nine years old at the time, was sexually abused by Morton—a man who groomed him from the age of five and inflicted lifelong trauma.
The court heard that Morton, of Beckhill Walk, Meanwood in Leeds, began grooming the boy in the 1980s, with abuse occurring when the boy was between nine and eleven years old, and Morton himself was around 14 or 15.
Camile Morland, prosecuting, told Bradford Crown Court that: "He [the victim] was to say there was sexualised behaviour, and grooming behaviour that took place before the defendant was 14.
It is right to say that the behaviour began when he was around the age of five, and the defendant was around the age of 11...He was frightened of him." Ms Morland explained that the abuse transitioned into sexual acts, with Morton nearly being caught by a young girl during one incident where he was stroking himself against the boy.
She added, "She [the girl] asked what was happening and the defendant said they were getting changed." The prosecutor highlighted that Morton’s guilt involved multiple incidents, at least two of which were proven in court.
The victim did not disclose the abuse immediately but confided in his best friend at age 14.
He later told authorities, resulting in police investigations in 2016 and 2018, during which Morton denied any wrongdoing.
The court was also informed that Morton had a prior conviction in 1999 for six and a half years for four counts of indecent assault against a young girl.
Additionally, he has convictions for assault occasioning actual bodily harm, burglary, dishonesty, and driving offences.
Joanne Sheperd, representing Morton, noted that he continues to deny the allegations despite his conviction.
She mentioned that Morton experienced neglect in childhood and attended a special school during adolescence.
Delivering the sentence, Deputy Circuit Judge Clayson sentenced Morton to seven-and-a-half years in prison—imposing the jail term 35 years after the offences occurred.
The judge stated, "The consequences of what you did to him [the victim] was immense.
He has experienced frequent psychological trauma, he has suffered some fits of anger, and he has nightmares and flashbacks as well as physical problems.
It really is no exaggeration to describe the harm you caused as profound and lifelong.
He was clearly frightened of you and speaks of you having a violent temper.
The level of harm he suffered is very severe." Morton is required to serve at least five years before he can apply to the Parole Board for release.
If released earlier, he will serve the remainder of his sentence on licence.
He has also been subjected to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and must continue to notify police of his whereabouts for the rest of his life.
