DERRICK MORGAN FROM TEWKESBURY SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILD AND ORDERED TO UNDERGO TREATMENT

In October 2007, a serious case involving Derrick Morgan, a 51-year-old resident of Tewkesbury, came to light when he was convicted of sexually abusing a seven-year-old girl. The incident, which took place in Tewkesbury, led to a court hearing at Gloucester Crown Court where Morgan faced the consequences of his actions.

During the proceedings, Morgan pleaded guilty to charges that he caused a child under the age of 13 to engage in sexual activity. The court was informed that the abuse involved inappropriate conduct where Morgan had asked the young girl to remove her pajamas and touch him. The girl later recounted that Morgan had come to bed undressed and told her she appeared to be 'hot,' which prompted him to assist her in removing her pajamas. She also described how Morgan had lifted her hand and placed it on his genitals, an act she later described during police interviews.

Prosecutor Stephen Dent detailed that the girl had slept in the same bed as Morgan during the incident. She later told investigators about the inappropriate requests and actions Morgan had directed towards her. The court heard that Morgan's behavior was both disturbing and illegal, prompting the judge to impose a strict sentence.

Judge Martin Picton, who presided over the case, emphasized the importance of treatment and rehabilitation for offenders like Morgan. He explained that Morgan, who had no prior convictions, was to be subjected to a three-year supervised community order. This order mandated that Morgan participate in a specialized sex offender group work program, which is designed to address and treat sexual offending behaviors.

Judge Picton made it clear that compliance with the treatment program was mandatory. Failure to adhere to the conditions could result in Morgan being brought back to court for further sentencing. Additionally, Morgan was ordered to sign the sex offender register for a period of seven years and was subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO).

The SOPO restricts Morgan from being in the company of any child under 18 unless accompanied by a parent or guardian's consent. It also prohibits him from applying for or engaging in any work involving minors and from living in a household with children. These measures are intended to prevent any further harm and to monitor Morgan's activities closely.

Overall, the case highlights the serious nature of child sexual abuse and the legal system's response to protect vulnerable individuals. Morgan's sentence reflects both the need for accountability and the importance of rehabilitative efforts in such cases.