KEITH MORTON SEX OFFENDER FROM ARNEY CAUGHT IN BELFAST HOTEL STAY BREACH
| Red Rose Database
Arney Rapist
In April 2018, a convicted sex offender from Arney faced legal consequences after failing to disclose his hotel stays in Belfast to the police, despite being under strict notification requirements. Keith James Morton, aged 45 and residing on Station Road in Arney, pleaded guilty to violations of his legal obligations as a registered sex offender. Specifically, he admitted to not informing authorities about his residence at various locations in Belfast for periods exceeding seven days, during a span from November 23, 2016, to September 22, 2017.
During proceedings at Fermanagh Magistrates Court, it was revealed that Morton had a prior conviction for rape in 1999. As a result of that conviction, he was placed under indefinite notification requirements, which mandated him to inform police of any change of address or residence. However, between late 2016 and late 2017, Morton failed to comply with these obligations, despite being fully aware of his responsibilities.
The court heard that Morton had stayed overnight at the Travel Lodge located on Brunswick Street in Belfast on nine separate occasions within the specified period. These hotel stays were not reported to the police, which constituted a breach of his notification duties. When questioned by law enforcement, Morton admitted that he knew about his legal obligations but had neglected to inform officers about his hotel stays. This admission was part of his guilty plea.
It was also disclosed that Morton had previously breached similar conditions in 2014, which was addressed at Dungannon court. His solicitor, Michael Fahy, explained that Morton had failed to notify police of a change in his address at that time as well. Fahy emphasized that Morton had been subjected to stringent conditions and restrictions on his liberty for nearly twenty years, highlighting the ongoing challenges he faced in complying with legal requirements.
Regarding his last known offending, Fahy stated that Morton’s most recent criminal activity against a person occurred in 1999. While acknowledging that the latest breach could lead to imprisonment, Fahy pointed out that Morton had not been involved in any further offences since September of the previous year. He suggested that the court could consider reviewing the duration of the notification order, and he expressed willingness to pursue such a review on behalf of his client.
In mitigation, Fahy noted that Morton had been assessed as having a medium risk of re-offending. He also highlighted that Morton had accepted responsibility early in the process and had entered a guilty plea, which demonstrated some level of remorse.
District Judge Nigel Broderick underscored the seriousness of the breach, stating, “This is an important order given to you by the Crown Court that was designed to deal with the risk the court felt had been proved you posed to society.”
Ultimately, the judge sentenced Morton to three months in jail for the breach, but this sentence was suspended for two years, allowing him to avoid immediate imprisonment provided he complies with the conditions set forth by the court.
During proceedings at Fermanagh Magistrates Court, it was revealed that Morton had a prior conviction for rape in 1999. As a result of that conviction, he was placed under indefinite notification requirements, which mandated him to inform police of any change of address or residence. However, between late 2016 and late 2017, Morton failed to comply with these obligations, despite being fully aware of his responsibilities.
The court heard that Morton had stayed overnight at the Travel Lodge located on Brunswick Street in Belfast on nine separate occasions within the specified period. These hotel stays were not reported to the police, which constituted a breach of his notification duties. When questioned by law enforcement, Morton admitted that he knew about his legal obligations but had neglected to inform officers about his hotel stays. This admission was part of his guilty plea.
It was also disclosed that Morton had previously breached similar conditions in 2014, which was addressed at Dungannon court. His solicitor, Michael Fahy, explained that Morton had failed to notify police of a change in his address at that time as well. Fahy emphasized that Morton had been subjected to stringent conditions and restrictions on his liberty for nearly twenty years, highlighting the ongoing challenges he faced in complying with legal requirements.
Regarding his last known offending, Fahy stated that Morton’s most recent criminal activity against a person occurred in 1999. While acknowledging that the latest breach could lead to imprisonment, Fahy pointed out that Morton had not been involved in any further offences since September of the previous year. He suggested that the court could consider reviewing the duration of the notification order, and he expressed willingness to pursue such a review on behalf of his client.
In mitigation, Fahy noted that Morton had been assessed as having a medium risk of re-offending. He also highlighted that Morton had accepted responsibility early in the process and had entered a guilty plea, which demonstrated some level of remorse.
District Judge Nigel Broderick underscored the seriousness of the breach, stating, “This is an important order given to you by the Crown Court that was designed to deal with the risk the court felt had been proved you posed to society.”
Ultimately, the judge sentenced Morton to three months in jail for the breach, but this sentence was suspended for two years, allowing him to avoid immediate imprisonment provided he complies with the conditions set forth by the court.