PAUL MORRIS FROM TORQUAY SENTENCED FOR GROOMING 15-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN BRIXHAM

In September 2008, a serious case of grooming and inappropriate conduct came to light involving Paul Morris, a man from Torquay, who was convicted of attempting to engage in sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl. The incident took place in the coastal town of Brixham, where Morris was assisting at Wizz-Kidz, a children’s soft play centre operated by his wife, Katie.

At the time, Morris, aged 38 and a father of two young daughters, engaged in a series of manipulative actions aimed at the vulnerable teenager. The court heard that Morris first kissed the girl before lifting her top and attempting to undo her trousers, an act that clearly demonstrated his intent to pursue a sexual relationship.

During the proceedings, Judge Paul Darlow addressed Morris directly, stating, “This was targeting and grooming a vulnerable 15-year-old. Your behaviour was deliberate and manipulative. I have no doubt that your intention was to proceed to full intercourse if she was willing.” The judge’s comments underscored the predatory nature of Morris’s actions and the seriousness with which the court viewed the case.

It was revealed that Morris’s wife, Katie, had previously warned him that his flirtatious behaviour with the teenager could be misconstrued as an inappropriate relationship. Despite this warning, Morris continued to secretly hold the girl’s hands during walks leading up to the incident, indicating a pattern of manipulative conduct.

Prosecutor Chris Bennett explained that Morris had been helping at Wizz-Kidz by making coffee, operating the till, and tidying up for approximately a month when the offence occurred. The court was also informed that Morris had pleaded guilty to the charges at an early stage, demonstrating remorse for his actions.

Defence lawyer Jonathan Barnes highlighted that Morris had distanced himself from the group involved since the incident and would not be involved in future activities. Barnes emphasized Morris’s genuine remorse, noting that he had given a full confession to police and had attempted to take his own life following the incident. Morris was currently on anti-depressants and was working to reconcile with his wife.

Barnes further stated, “He should have stopped it before allowing a very inappropriate flirtation to develop to the extent that, losing his head, he behaved in the disgraceful way in which he did. But when the young girl quite rightly made her feelings clear, he at once stopped and has ever since been truly remorseful, to the extent that he attempted to take his own life.” Importantly, Barnes clarified that Morris was not critical of the girl involved.

However, Judge Darlow addressed concerns raised by a victim impact statement, which indicated that someone in the community had been making disparaging comments about the girl. The judge condemned such behaviour, calling the comments “misguided, ignorant and cruel.”

As part of his sentence, Morris was ordered to undergo a three-year supervision programme and was mandated to participate in a sex offenders’ treatment scheme. He was also prohibited from working with children or young people and was placed on the sex offenders’ register for the next five years. Additionally, Morris was banned from having contact with any girl under 16 unless she is a retail worker or under supervision, with the exception of his own daughters.

It is important to clarify that earlier reports incorrectly described Morris as a “childcare centre boss.” In fact, Morris’s role was limited to helping out at his wife’s business, Wizz-Kidz, and he was not employed in a childcare capacity.