December 2010 Motor-cyclist jailed for sex offences A WELL-known racing motor-cyclist who once competed in the Isle of Man TT has been jailed for six-and-a-half years for sex offences committed more than 30 years ago. Michael Moreton abused a young girl over a seven-year period until she eventually ran away at the age of 16 to live in a tent on Stourport riverside, Worcester Crown Court was told. Moreton, 58, of Windermere Way, Burlish Park, Stourport, pleaded guilty to 11 offences of indecent assault and one of indecency with a child. His offending began when his wife was in hospital in 1976 having a baby, said Mr Nicolas Cartwright, prosecuting. His victim did not complain about his conduct until last year when she incorrectly thought that other persons were also making allegations. Mr Cartwright said that the victim was now 44 but in an impact statement read to the court she described how her ordeal at the hands of Moreton had changed her life. She said she had never been allowed to be child and at one stage felt she had been rejected by her mother, who was now dead. Her experiences had made her feel a totally different person and had a worse kind of effect on her life. Moreton, who had no previous convictions, had made a frank confession at an early stage to avoid the girl having to give evidence, said Miss Abigail Nixon, defending. He was a member of a motorbike racing organisation and she submitted references from fellow racers and from his work colleagues. Moreton was full of remorse and had told his second wife of 20 years what had happened and she was standing by him. But Judge Amjad Nawaz said persistent offences had been committed against a child and these passed the custody threshhold. Moreton must serve at least two-thirds of the prison term. The judge also made a sexual offences prevention order and said Moreton must complete a sex offenders programme whilst in prison. He must sign on the sex offenders register for life