CHARLES MORRIS FROM BARNET AND HARROW JAILED FOR CHILD MOLESTATION CRIMES

In April 2009, Charles Morris, a former preacher from Harrow, was sentenced to four months in prison after being found guilty of molesting two young girls, both aged ten, in separate incidents that took place in Barnet and Harrow. The court heard that Morris, aged 57 at the time, committed these acts in what was described as a serious breach of trust, given his role within the church community and the responsibilities entrusted to him.

One of the most disturbing episodes occurred in 2008 when Morris was seen to have rubbed the breasts of one of the girls over her clothes while she sat on his lap. He was reading to her at the time, and the incident was reported to authorities. Following the report, police conducted a raid on his residence in Malpas Drive, Harrow, in June of the previous year. During the search, officers uncovered evidence indicating that Morris had been searching the internet for child pornography, further highlighting the severity of his misconduct.

It was also revealed that Morris had previously attempted to touch the breasts of an autistic girl in 2005. On that occasion, he was lying on a bed with her and another girl when he tried to grope her. The girl, however, recoiled and pushed him away, preventing any further harm. Despite these incidents, both families of the girls he molested submitted letters to Harrow Crown Court, pleading with the judge to show leniency. They expressed their efforts to forgive Morris, emphasizing their desire for him to avoid jail and to focus on rehabilitation.

Judge Graham Arran, presiding over the case, acknowledged the breach of trust involved in Morris’s actions. He stated that the court had no choice but to impose a custodial sentence, which resulted in Morris being jailed for four months. The court also heard that Morris, who previously served as a district preacher across Methodist churches in Hillingdon and Harrow, had been forced to step down from his roles as treasurer at Pinner Parish Church and secretary of the Methodist church circuit following his arrest. Additionally, he was expelled from Pinner Methodist Church as a consequence of his crimes.

During the sentencing, Sarah Ellis, Morris’s defense lawyer, described the impact of the case on her client. She explained that Morris was deeply affected by the events and that he would never again be in a position to be alone with children. She added that he had lost his ability to work within the church and was no longer able to attend church services. The courtroom was filled with supporters of Morris, including his wife and one of his two sons, along with several individuals who had written letters attesting to his good character.

Ms. Ellis also noted that Morris had developed an unhealthy interest, which led to him succumbing to temptation on two occasions. She emphasized that he had taken responsibility for his actions and was willing to address the underlying issues. The court was informed that Morris had been made redundant from his job at Kodak in 2002, which contributed to his subsequent difficulties in finding meaningful employment. He had dedicated himself to his role as a lay preacher and had met one of the families involved through his church activities.

Following his conviction, Morris’s wife, who had supported him throughout the legal process, began taking anti-depressants and sought counseling to cope with the emotional toll of the case. Judge Arran, in his sentencing remarks, acknowledged that Morris was a man with many positive qualities and that he had done good work over the years. However, he stressed that the breaches of trust in this case were serious and that the court’s primary concern was the public interest. The judge expressed confidence that Morris would not commit further offenses, but nonetheless sentenced him to serve two months in prison, with the remainder on license. Morris was also ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register, allowing police to monitor his activities and computer use for the next five years. Furthermore, he was banned from contacting children under 16 unless accompanied by a parent or responsible adult.