Man Jailed for Child Sex Offences

A 62-year-old man from Bishopstone has been sentenced to three years in prison for child sex offences.

Alan Roy Morris, of Whitlock Rise, was found guilty of three counts of exposure, one of sexual assault, and one of causing or inciting a child under the age of 16 to engage in sexual activity.

The incidents occurred between January and June of last year, according to Salisbury Crown Court.

During the sentencing hearing, defense attorney Marcus Tregilgas-Davey acknowledged Morris's prior conviction from over 20 years ago but highlighted his law-abiding life and productive employment since then.

"While he has a relevant previous conviction, it happened more than 20 years ago and between then and these offences he has led a law abiding life and, in terms of his employment, a productive one," said Tregilgas-Davey.

He also emphasized the consequences Morris faced, including the loss of his home, a 16-year relationship, and ostracization from family and friends.

Tregilgas-Davey suggested a community order as a possible path for Morris to address his behavior, but Recorder Peter Towler deemed it unlikely to be effective due to Morris's denial of wrongdoing.

"He has his eyes closed to his offending," Tregilgas-Davey said. "A community order is the one thing that may help this man address what has led him to these offences."

Recorder Towler responded, "It seems to me that such a course of treatment would be unlikely to work because of his constant denial of his behaviour that there has been anything wrong."

In addition to the prison sentence, Morris was placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely and subjected to a lifetime sexual offences prevention order restricting his contact with children.