ETHAN MORAN AND SHOCKING CRIMES IN WARRINGTON
Ethan Moran, a man with a troubling criminal history from Warrington, has been remanded into custody following a series of serious criminal acts that have garnered significant attention.Previously, Moran was involved in a violent incident in Oakwood Park where he assaulted a teenage boy, resulting in the loss of a front tooth and hearing difficulties for the victim.
The attack was allegedly triggered by Moran's disapproval of the boy's relationship with a younger girl.
Investigations revealed Moran, then 20, had taken alcohol and drugs prior to the assault, which involved multiple blows to the teenager's head.
The victim required dental surgery to insert a dental implant and now relies on a hearing aid for his hearing impairment caused by Moran's aggressive assault.
Recently, Moran faced new charges in Liverpool Crown Court after being accused of engaging in sexual activity with a girl under the age of 16.
The incident dates back to the summer of 2020 when Moran was 19 and the girl was under 16.
According to prosecutors, Moran had arranged to meet the girl at his flat on the condition that they watch a film together.
Despite both being aware of their respective ages — Moran knowing the girl was underage and the girl knowing Moran was 19 — they proceeded with their meeting.
Moran is said to have greeted her outside the flat and then escorted her upstairs.
The court heard that the girl believed their time would be simple and limited to watching a film due to her age, but the situation quickly escalated.
The two engaged in kissing on the couch, and eventually Moran engaged in unprotected sexual activity with her.
The girl initially claimed she was 'fine' during the incident but later felt anxious and 'panicky' due to the significant age difference and the illegal nature of their interaction.
It was further revealed that Moran had lied to the girl's parents about his age, attempting to conceal the truth.
His deception was uncovered, leading to his arrest in December 2020.
During police interviews, Moran admitted to the sexual activity but justified his actions by claiming he was experiencing a 'bad place' mentally and was under the influence of drugs at the time.
The impact of these events has been profound for the victim.
An impact statement presented in court detailed her ongoing mental health struggles, including anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts since the incident.
Moran’s criminal record also includes a conviction from May of the previous year, where he received a 12-month detention in a young offender institution for wounding.
This earlier offence stemmed from an assault in Brickfield Park in Orford, where Moran, under the influence of Class A drugs, struck a 16-year-old boy multiple times after objecting to the boy’s relationship with a 15-year-old girl.
The attack left the boy with a knocked-out front tooth and hearing difficulties, which necessitate lifelong use of a hearing aid.
The court heard that Moran continued to punch the victim five or six times after knocking him down before bystanders intervened.
During the hearing, Moran's defense lawyer, Anthony Rose, emphasized that Moran had pleaded guilty and argued that the sexual encounter did not involve coercion or grooming, characterizing it as an 'inappropriate and wrong sexual relationship between two consenting people.' Rose also highlighted Moran’s remorse, noting that he had been volunteering with a charity delivering food parcels, and argued that Moran had matured considerably since the offences, having served a substantial custodial sentence that markedly changed his perspective.
However, Judge David Potter dismissed these arguments, stating that only an immediate custodial sentence could reflect the severity of Moran’s offences.
The judge expressed disappointment that Moran had knowingly engaged in sexual activity with someone under 16 and emphasized that laws are in place to protect young people from harm, including themselves.
The court sentenced Moran to six months in prison, imposing a 10-year sexual harm prevention order, mandated sex offender registration for the same period, and issued an indefinite restraining order to prevent any contact with the victim.
Moran, who resides on Poplars Avenue in Orford, must also adhere to strict legal requirements aimed at supervising and restricting his movements and contact with minors.
These measures underscore the seriousness of his crimes and the court’s commitment to safeguarding vulnerable individuals in Warrington and beyond.
