ANTHONY MORGAN FROM TOXTETH SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC CHILD SEX ABUSE IN LIVERPOOL

In a deeply disturbing case that has shocked the Liverpool community, Anthony Morgan, a man formerly residing in Toxteth, has been convicted of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of young children. The recent court proceedings have revealed the extent of his depravity, which spans over multiple years and involves multiple victims.

Back in March 2018, Morgan was sentenced to 16 years in prison after being found guilty of raping a young girl repeatedly, starting from when she was just six years old. The court also imposed an extended four-year period on parole, reflecting the severity of his actions and the ongoing threat he poses. However, the story took a darker turn when another victim, a toddler at the time of abuse, came forward, prompting further legal action.

Today, at Liverpool Crown Court, Morgan, now aged 42, faced additional charges after admitting to eight counts of raping the girl from the age of three. The court heard that Morgan’s crimes against this second victim were equally, if not more, devastating. Judge Andrew Menary, QC, sentenced Morgan to a substantial term of 18 and a half years in prison, with an additional six years on license, emphasizing the profound impact of his actions.

Judge Menary expressed his condemnation of Morgan’s conduct, stating, “What you did to this victim has effectively ruined her life. It’s highly unlikely she will now enjoy normal, healthy child relationships. Any adult relationship for her will be challenging, particularly intimate relationships, which she is bound to find very difficult indeed. What this means is you have devastated the lives now of two children.”

The prosecution, led by Rob Jones, explained that the new allegations came to light after the young girl began exhibiting signs of sexualized behavior. One day, she was found crying uncontrollably, expressing that “things were bad inside her head.” This emotional distress prompted her to confide in an adult, leading to police involvement.

During police interviews, Morgan admitted to the abuse, revealing that he would give her sweets and other treats as a means of coercion and would warn her not to tell anyone. He expressed remorse, stating that he felt bad about his actions but was unable to explain why he continued to abuse her, blaming his urges for his behavior. Morgan acknowledged the psychological damage inflicted upon her and expressed regret for his conduct.

It was also revealed that Morgan, who is also known by the alias Anthony Murphy, had previously admitted to eight counts of rape and one count of attempted rape against the first girl. The court heard that he had raped her on at least 225 occasions, often offering her ice cream and treats in exchange for sex. The victim confided in an adult that the abuse had been ongoing “for as long as she could remember,” and Morgan had warned her to keep quiet, leading her to believe that no one would believe her.

The impact on the first victim has been severe, with her suffering emotional and physical trauma, struggling with her education, and enduring significant psychological scars. She has expressed fears about her future, particularly her ability to have a family, citing her inability to face having sex again.

Judge Menary pointed out that Morgan could have confessed to these crimes earlier, during his previous sentencing, and questioned whether he had other victims. Ms. Holt, representing Morgan, stated that her client insisted there were no additional offenses to admit. The judge criticized Morgan for not coming forward sooner, noting that he had the opportunity to do so last year but chose not to, thereby denying himself the chance for a more lenient sentence and potentially exposing himself to further prosecution.

He issued a stern warning about the possibility of additional revelations, emphasizing that early acknowledgment of any further offending could be beneficial for Morgan’s future. Morgan is required to serve at least two-thirds of his sentence behind bars and will only be eligible for early release if a parole board deems it appropriate. Additionally, he must register as a sex offender and adhere to a lifelong Sexual Harm Prevention Order, underscoring the ongoing nature of his legal obligations and the risks he poses to the community.