BARRY MORROW'S SHOCKING CRIMES IN ORFORD: SEX OFFENDER'S SENTENCE REDUCED AT CHESTER CROWN COURT

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Orford, Barry Morrow, a man with a long history of heinous crimes against children, has seen his prison sentence reduced on appeal. Morrow, aged 62 and residing on Cabul Close in Orford, was originally sentenced to 15 years in prison at Chester Crown Court in May 2010 after being convicted on multiple counts including incident assault, indecency with a child, sexual assault, and rape.

His crimes spanned over a quarter of a century, with allegations dating back to the 1980s. The court heard that Morrow had befriended an 11-year-old girl during that period and subsequently indecently touched her. His pattern of abuse continued into the 1990s, when he molested another girl, also aged 11. These acts were not isolated incidents, but part of a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior.

Further investigations revealed that in 1992, when the victim was 13, police were informed of the abuse. Despite arresting Morrow at that time, authorities believed there was insufficient evidence to press charges, allowing him to remain free. The following year, Morrow's predatory actions escalated when he targeted an even younger victim, an eight-year-old girl. The court was told that Morrow raped this child twice and subjected her to additional forms of abuse, highlighting the severity and brutality of his crimes.

During the appeal hearing held in London’s Criminal Appeal Court, Mr. Justice Henriques acknowledged Morrow’s health issues, including heart problems, diabetes, and ongoing treatment with anti-depressants. The judge noted that some of Morrow’s offenses date back to the 1980s, and that his age and health conditions warranted a reconsideration of his sentence.

Morrow’s defense lawyer, Simon Berkson, argued that while the individual sentences for each offense were appropriate, the total sentence of 15 years was excessive. The court, comprising Mr. Justice Henriques, Lord Justice Pitchford, and Judge John Milford QC, agreed and decided to reduce the sentence to 13 years. Justice Henriques stated, “We have concluded that, whilst this sentence was calculated with precision and entirely in accordance with the sentencing guidelines, we feel able to adjust it to a modest degree to recognise that the totality of the sentence, together with the appellant’s health and age, do merit some modest reduction. Justice will be served in this case if we reduce the total sentence to one of 13 years.”

As a registered sex offender, Morrow remains on the Sex Offenders Register, which prohibits him from working with children for the rest of his life. He is expected to serve half of his reduced sentence before being eligible for release, meaning he will spend approximately six and a half years behind bars. The case has left the community of Orford grappling with the reality of such a dangerous individual having committed these crimes over such a long period, and the legal proceedings continue to draw attention to issues of justice and victim protection.