JAMES MORRISON AND SHOCKING CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN WILTSHIRE
A man from Chippenham, identified as James Morrison, has been sentenced to prison after admitting to the heinous crime of repeatedly raping a young boy.Morrison, who has no fixed address, received a total sentence of 19 years and four months, with the majority of this time—13 years and four months—to be served behind bars.
Additionally, he will be subject to a six-year period on extended licence, reflecting the severity of his offenses.
The criminal proceedings culminated on November 22 at Winchester Crown Court, following Morrison’s appearance at Salisbury Crown Court on July 18, where he pleaded guilty to multiple charges.
These charges included four counts of raping a child, engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, inciting a child to engage in sexual acts, and participating in non-penetrative sexual activities with a minor.
The court’s decision underscores the gravity of his crimes and the need for stringent punishment.
In addition to his prison sentence, Morrison was issued a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which aims to restrict his contact with children and prevent any further abuse.
He is also required to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and public safety.
Wiltshire Police have publicly commended the bravery of Morrison’s victim, who was threatened by Morrison and felt unable to disclose the abuse initially.
Detective Investigator Francesca Mason, from the Child Abuse Investigation Team, highlighted the importance of the victim’s courage.
She stated, “After committing these horrific crimes, Morrison made threats towards his victim which made him feel trapped and unable to confide in his parent.” The officer further explained that the victim’s mother discovered messages on her son’s phone, which ultimately led to the victim revealing the details of the abuse and prompted a police investigation.
DI Mason expressed her admiration for the young victim’s resilience, noting, “I would like to commend the young victim for the bravery he has shown during the court process – maturity far beyond his years following what has been an incredibly traumatic ordeal.” Mason emphasized the importance of reporting sexual abuse, urging anyone who has been victimized to come forward.
She concluded by reaffirming the police’s commitment to justice, saying, “I am pleased Morrison has been given a lengthy custodial sentence, reflecting the horrific nature of his crimes.
He took advantage of a vulnerable child, abusing him and then making threats towards him.
As a member of the CAIT team, I would urge anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse to report it to police immediately so that we can put offenders like Morrison before the courts.”
