MORRIS BACKSHELL SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE IN TOOTHILL AND SWINDON

In a harrowing case that has shocked the community of Toothill and the wider Swindon area, Morris Backshell, aged 48, has been sentenced to nine years in prison for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed against a young girl. The abuse, which spanned several years, began when the girl was only 12 years old and continued until she was 15, culminating in an attempted rape just before her sixteenth birthday.

According to court proceedings, the abuse was first initiated in the late 1990s, with Backshell engaging in inappropriate behavior that started with tickling and gradually escalated to more serious acts. Prosecutor Claire Marlow detailed how Backshell would touch the girl indecently, and on some occasions, he coerced her into watching him perform a sex act. There were also instances where he made her touch him, further compounding the trauma inflicted upon her.

The court heard that the abuse came to a head in early 2002, shortly before the girl’s 16th birthday, when Backshell attempted to rape her. The victim resisted fiercely, screaming and shouting, and managed to fight him off, preventing the assault from reaching completion. The emotional and psychological toll of these experiences was significant, with the girl requiring counseling to help her cope with the trauma.

Backshell’s arrest earlier this year was marked by his refusal to cooperate during police interviews. Initially denying all charges, he changed his stance just weeks before his trial, admitting to the offenses. His admissions included attempted rape, two counts of indecency with a child, and two counts of indecent assault. His defense lawyer, Rob Ross, acknowledged that Backshell was aware of the severity of his situation and expressed remorse for his actions.

Mr. Ross explained that Backshell had suffered from depressive illnesses over the years, which had led to multiple hospitalizations. He emphasized that prior to these offenses, Backshell was considered a man of good character, and there was no indication of any misconduct since. The defense also pointed out that the fact the girl fought him off during the attack suggested a moment of clarity and remorse, indicating that Backshell recognized the wrongfulness of his actions.

Judge Euan Ambrose, presiding over the case, emphasized the gravity of the crimes, stating, “These offences are so serious that only an immediate custodial sentence can be justified. It must be custody and of some length.” In addition to the prison term, Backshell was subjected to a sexual offences prevention order, required to register as a sex offender for life, and was banned from working with children in any capacity. The sentence reflects the court’s firm stance on protecting vulnerable individuals from such predatory behavior and underscores the severity with which these crimes are treated in the justice system.