PHILIP MORRIS FROM REDCAR SENTENCED TO 14 YEARS FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN TWO DECADES

In a case that has shocked the community of Redcar, pensioner Philip Morris, aged 66, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 14 years after admitting to a series of serious sexual offences committed against young girls over a span of more than twenty years.

The court heard that Morris, a resident of Station Road in Redcar, pleaded guilty to four counts of rape and seven sexual assault charges. The allegations against him involved two separate victims, with the first incident dating back to the 1970s and the second occurring in the early 2000s.

Prosecutor David Brooke provided detailed testimony during the proceedings at Teesside Crown Court, revealing that Morris had initially begun abusing an underage schoolgirl during the 1970s. According to Brooke, Morris's misconduct started with indecent touching, which gradually escalated to full sexual acts. The court was told that these acts persisted over a period of time, causing significant harm to the young girl.

It was only many years later, in the 2000s, that Morris was again implicated in sexual misconduct, this time against another pre-teen girl. The details of this second series of offences emerged after Morris was taken to hospital last August following an incident characterized by bizarre behaviour. During this hospital visit, Morris confessed to the crimes, leading to his arrest and subsequent legal proceedings.

Anne Richardson, representing Morris, addressed the court, highlighting her client’s ongoing physical and mental health issues. She also emphasized that Morris had expressed remorse for his actions, which she described as a sign of his acknowledgment of the harm caused.

In delivering the sentence, Recorder Martin Bethel QC emphasized the severity of Morris’s crimes and the need for public protection. Morris was sentenced to 14 years in prison and was issued a sexual offences prevention order, which prohibits him from having unsupervised contact with anyone under the age of 18. Additionally, Morris will be registered as a sex offender for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to prevent further harm.