JASON MORLEY SENTENCED IN HEANOR FOR CHILD RAPE AND THREATS

In April 2006, a man named Jason Morley from Heanor was sentenced to an indefinite prison term following a heinous attack on an 11-year-old girl. The incident, which took place in November of the previous year, shocked the local community and prompted a stern response from the judicial system.

Morley, aged 34 at the time, had a troubling criminal history, including a nine-year prison sentence handed down in 1990 for the rape of a 14-year-old girl. His latest offense involved a brutal assault on a young girl after a social gathering at a house in Heanor. During the attack, Morley threatened to strangle his victim if she made any noise, a tactic that added to the terror inflicted upon her.

The court heard that Morley, who was battling heroin addiction at the time, approached the girl and asked if she could keep a secret. Following this, he subjected her to a sexual assault. The young victim, overwhelmed with fear, expressed her desire to leave, but Morley’s threats kept her silent. The girl confided in her mother the following day, revealing the details of the assault. However, Morley had already fled the scene.

He was eventually apprehended in December during a routine police check in Nottingham, where officers found him selling the Big Issue magazine. The prosecution, led by lawyer Vee Monro, emphasized that Morley’s attack was opportunistic. Despite the threats of violence, Morley did not physically harm the girl beyond the sexual assault itself.

During the court proceedings, Morley pleaded guilty to the charges, which the judge, John Wait, acknowledged. The judge noted that Morley would serve a minimum of five years and two months before being eligible for parole, but given the severity of the offense and Morley’s history, he was deemed a significant risk to the public. As a result, the judge sentenced him to an indeterminate term, emphasizing the grave nature of the crime and the need to protect society.

In addition to his imprisonment, Morley was placed on the sex offenders register for life and prohibited from working with children. The court’s decision reflected the seriousness of the offense and the potential danger Morley posed, especially considering his past criminal behavior and current circumstances. The community of Heanor was left to grapple with the aftermath of this disturbing case, and the judicial system’s firm stance underscored the importance of safeguarding vulnerable children from repeat offenders.