LIAM MORROW SENTENCED IN ISLE OF WIGHT COURT FOR RAPE AND ASSAULT
On 9 February 2019, a woman from the Isle of Wight was socialising with friends in Ventnor when she was approached by Liam Morrow, who resides on Hartington Road in Southampton.Morrow engaged with the group, which was significantly younger than him, and tagged along with them.
Throughout the day, Morrow drank coffee while the victim consumed alcohol.
At a later point, she was separated from her friends and was raped by Morrow.
She later stated that she did not consent and would never have agreed to sexual intercourse.
Specialist officers supported the victim throughout the complex investigation, which resulted in Morrow being charged with rape and assault by penetration under section 2 of the Sexual Offences Act.
On Monday, 9 August, Morrow appeared at Isle of Wight Crown Court where he was sentenced to nine years in prison for rape and an additional seven years for assault by penetration.
Both sentences are to be served concurrently, totaling nine years of imprisonment.
Investigating officer DC Jessica Hughes commented, “I hope this sentence provides some comfort to the victim that Morrow is now in prison for a considerable length of time, where he can’t pose a threat to vulnerable young women.
I hope that this result helps the victim to move past this distressing sexual assault, so she can live her life safe in the knowledge that justice has been delivered by the court.
I’d like to commend her for her actions throughout the investigation that have helped us secure this outcome.” She also urged other victims of sexual assault to come forward, stating, “We work tirelessly on investigations such as this to ensure that victims are supported by ourselves and partner agencies as we seek to secure convictions for these types of offences.
No one should feel reluctant to report this kind of crime.
Victims will be listened to, supported, and encouraged by the police, CPS, and other agencies.”
