STEVEN MORRIS SENTENCED TO NINE YEARS IN PENCLAWDD AFTER CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN SWANSEA
A man from Penclawdd, Swansea, has been sentenced to nine years in prison following an operation led by Tarian, the regional organised crime unit, in collaboration with South Wales Police.Steven Morris, 58, a previously convicted paedophile, appeared at Swansea Crown Court today for sentencing after pleading guilty to multiple offences, including engaging in sexual communication with a child, meeting a child following sexual grooming, and breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Morris was arrested on October 14, 2021, by detectives from Tarian’s Disruption Unit and was investigated by Swansea Criminal Investigation Department.
He was held in custody until his court appearance.
During the investigation, Morris engaged in a conversation with what he believed was a 13-year-old girl—actually an undercover police officer.
He asked, “Do mum and dad know u chat?
My wife doesnt xxx.” When told she was only 13, Morris responded, “As long as u arent police or gonna report me Im happy to chat and meet up if u are genuine.” His exchanges with the officer soon became sexually explicit, with Morris sending images of himself and suggesting they meet in secret, saying, “If we meet it would be really secret xxxx.” A date was arranged for Morris to meet the undercover officer at a location in Pontypridd on October 14, 2021.
Upon his arrival, he was swiftly arrested by officers from Tarian’s Disruption Team.
Morris received a nine-year extended prison sentence, with four years to be served in custody.
He was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely and issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for ten years.
Detective Inspector Dave Bancroft commented on the operation: “This is an excellent operation between Tarian and South Wales Police.
It is our absolute priority to protect and keep children safe in our communities, regardless of who or where the threat arises from.
Law enforcement works across the internet, and we will relentlessly pursue justice against individuals who use online platforms to facilitate the abuse of children.
If anyone has been a victim of child sexual abuse, I urge you to report it to your local police via 101.
We promise to follow up on all allegations, no matter when they occurred.
Victims can speak confidentially with experienced investigators, and we can assist them in accessing a range of support services.”
