BRIAN MORTON FROM HALEWOOD SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN LIVERPOOL

In July 2022, a disturbing case involving Brian Morton, a resident of Halewood, came to light through a court hearing at Liverpool Crown Court. Morton, now aged 61, was convicted of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse and grooming of a young girl, beginning when she was just 11 years old. His actions spanned several years and left a lasting psychological scar on his victim.

According to court reports, Morton systematically manipulated his young victim by exploiting her vulnerabilities and offering her sweets and cigarettes as a means of grooming. He bought her mobile phone top-ups and took her on rides in his car, during which he committed sexual assaults. The court heard that Morton would watch her while she bathed, even offering to help clean her, a disturbing act that added to the trauma inflicted upon her. When she was 15, Morton raped her while she was sleeping in a spare bedroom at his home, an act that marked a particularly severe escalation in his abuse.

The psychological impact on the girl was profound. She struggled with feelings of self-loathing and turned to drug abuse as a form of self-medication to cope with the trauma. Her mental health deteriorated as she tried to block out the memories of her abuse, which haunted her for years. The court was told that her suffering was compounded by Morton’s manipulative behavior, which included telling her that her own family did not love her, and falsely professing love and admiration for her, even going as far as wearing aftershave to impress her.

In addition to the abuse of his first victim, Morton’s criminal behavior resurfaced in 2018 when he was convicted of engaging in sexual communications with another teenage girl. He had sent her sexually charged messages, attempting to groom her in a manner eerily similar to his previous offenses. Court documents revealed that Morton asked her to go for drives in his car, and one of his messages read, “night night sexy bum.” Despite admitting to the offense, Morton claimed he did not have a sexual interest in children and was given a community order.

However, his pattern of offending did not end there. During a trial, Morton was found guilty of two counts of rape. He appeared via video link from HMP Liverpool, where he is currently incarcerated. The court also imposed an indefinite restraining order to prevent him from contacting his victims or their families, along with a lifelong notification requirement to keep authorities informed of his whereabouts and activities.

Judge Gary Woodhall delivered a stern judgment, emphasizing the devastating effects of Morton’s crimes. He highlighted how Morton’s grooming involved offering treats and gifts, manipulating the girl into believing she was in a loving relationship, when in reality, she was being exploited. The judge pointed out that Morton’s behavior demonstrated a clear pattern of sexual interest in young girls, with a willingness to act on those urges over many years. He described the girl’s experience as one of living with the knowledge of her abuse, filled with feelings of shame and self-hatred, and noted her ongoing struggles with mental health issues, including drug use as a means of coping.

Judge Woodhall also referenced Morton’s previous conviction in 2017, noting the striking similarity in his offending patterns, which underscored a persistent and troubling pattern of predatory behavior. As part of his sentence, Morton was handed a lifelong restraining order, barring him from any contact with the victims or their families, in an effort to protect those affected by his actions.