ALLEN MORRISON'S HORRIFIC CRIMES IN ARDROSSAN AND AYR: A DECADE OF ABUSE AND RAPE REVEALED

In November 2018, a disturbing case unfolded involving Allen Morrison, a man from Ardrossan whose heinous actions have shocked the community and brought to light a series of grave criminal offenses. Morrison, aged 54, was convicted of multiple counts of sexual assault and rape, including the abuse of underage girls, and was subsequently sentenced to over ten years in prison.

His criminal conduct came to public attention after the first victim, a teenage girl, bravely decided to speak out about the abuse she endured. Morrison had initially claimed that she had made sexual advances to him while sleepwalking, a defense he used to justify his actions. He falsely told her that she had removed her clothes and made sexual remarks, and he even fabricated the story that he had recorded her in these supposed sleepwalking episodes. Morrison insisted he was trying to protect himself, and he convinced the girl that he meant to show the videos to the police, which further manipulated her into believing he was acting in her best interest.

During court proceedings, it was revealed that Morrison had told the girl she might suffer from a condition called sexsomnia, a sleep disorder characterized by sexual behaviors during sleep, and that he could help her manage it. These manipulative tactics were part of a broader pattern of grooming and abuse. Morrison appeared at the High Court in Glasgow from custody, having previously pleaded guilty to two counts of rape. The judge, Lord Boyd of Duncansby, remanded him into custody, with sentencing deferred to allow for reports to be prepared.

Advocate depute Kath Harper provided further details, stating, “The accused also made her watch pornographic videos. He told her that her sleepwalking would worsen if she did not do this.” Morrison coerced the girl into performing sexual acts on him, claiming it was necessary to help her stop abusing him, and as his offending escalated, he engaged in further sexual activity with her.

In addition to his crimes against the first girl, Morrison’s depravity extended to a second underage girl. He began abusing her when she was just 15 years old, and his actions culminated in rape. The first victim, upon discovering Morrison’s ongoing abuse of the second girl, decided to come forward and report the crimes to the police. Authorities responded swiftly, leading to Morrison’s arrest. During the investigation, police recovered 92 images depicting child sexual exploitation involving the two girls, highlighting the extent of Morrison’s predatory behavior.

It was also revealed that Morrison had been employed as a cook at Cumnerhall care home in Ayr. His descent into criminality was reportedly triggered by the illness and subsequent death of his wife, who was suffering from cancer and was hospitalized prior to her passing. Morrison’s criminal record includes admitting to assaulting a girl from the age of 14 and raping her between March 2013 and August 2017. He also pleaded guilty to abusing and raping a second girl, aged 15, between October 2017 and June of this year. All these offenses took place at his residence in Ardrossan.

During the sentencing hearing at the High Court in Edinburgh, Lord Boyd described Morrison’s conduct as “a sustained course of evil and criminal conduct,” emphasizing the cruelty involved. The judge noted that the victims had been profoundly affected, with impacts likely to persist for the rest of their lives. Morrison was sentenced to a total of 10 years and eight months in prison and was ordered to register as a sex offender indefinitely. The court’s verdict underscores the severity of his crimes and the lasting damage inflicted upon his victims.