LOWESTOFT CARETAKER CARL MORGAN SENTENCED FOR GROOMING SCHOOLGIRL IN SICKENING CASE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Lowestoft, a local caretaker named Carl Morgan has been sentenced to three years in prison for engaging in a disturbing grooming operation involving a 13-year-old girl. The incident unfolded after Morgan, who was employed at Pakefield High School near Lowestoft, initiated contact with the young girl through a social networking platform in August 2014.

According to court proceedings, Morgan, who was 35 years old at the time and residing in Lowestoft before later moving to West Sussex, began a relationship with the girl that initially appeared to be innocent and platonic. However, as their online interactions progressed, the nature of their communication became increasingly inappropriate. The court heard that Morgan exchanged sexually explicit messages with the teenager and persuaded her to send him intimate photographs of herself, crossing a serious line of criminal behavior.

Prosecutor Edward Renvoize detailed how Morgan’s relationship with the girl developed over time. Despite the girl not being a student at Pakefield High School, Morgan managed to establish a connection with her through social media. The relationship escalated to the point where Morgan was not only exchanging explicit texts and images but also attempting to meet her in person. On one occasion, Morgan discovered from social media that the girl was meeting a friend. He then appeared at the meeting, approached her, and asked for a kiss and a hug, demonstrating a clear breach of boundaries and a predatory attitude.

The court was told that the contact between Morgan and the girl ceased in July of the following year, after the girl became increasingly uncomfortable with his persistent attempts to contact her. The situation came to light when Morgan’s partner discovered letters he had written to the girl, which led to Morgan resigning from his position and subsequently turning himself into the police. The authorities charged Morgan with inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and producing indecent images of children.

During the sentencing, Judge Rupert Overbury emphasized the seriousness of Morgan’s actions, highlighting that there was “significant planning” involved in the grooming process. The judge condemned the behavior, stating, “A girl of that age shouldn’t be subjected to such behaviour in any shape or form.” Morgan was ordered to register as a sex offender indefinitely and was also subjected to a sexual harm prevention order that will remain in effect for ten years, reflecting the gravity of his crimes and the need for ongoing monitoring to protect the community from further harm.