KEITH MORTON SHOCKS DARLINGTON AND LICHFIELD WITH LIFE SENTENCE FOR PREDATORY PAEDOPHILE CRIMES

In June 2010, Keith Morton, a man with a disturbing history of sexual offenses, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of four years before he could be considered for parole. The sentencing took place at Stafford Crown Court, where the court heard harrowing details of his prolonged pattern of abuse targeting young boys in the areas of Darlington and Lichfield.

Morton, a 43-year-old originally from Elm Ridge Church on Carmel Road in Darlington, had used his position as a Methodist lay preacher to groom and manipulate vulnerable children over a span of approximately nine years. His victims included four teenage boys—three in Staffordshire and one in County Durham—whom he targeted after relocating from Lichfield to a church in Darlington. Wherever he went, Morton’s predatory behavior was directed at the youth groups associated with the churches he served.

Judge Mark Eades described Morton’s manipulative tactics, emphasizing how his charm, social skills, and the trust placed in him due to his church role allowed him to groom children effectively. The judge stated, “The preacher’s charm, social skills and the confidence people had in him because of his position in the church enabled him to groom children so they would do his bidding.”

Morton’s criminal conduct was characterized by bizarre and deeply disturbing acts of sexual abuse. Stafford Crown Court heard that he dressed one of his young victims in women’s clothing and took photographs of another boy while he was naked. One victim, overwhelmed by the trauma, attempted to take his own life by slashing his wrists after trying to escape Morton’s clutches by sleeping in a set of drawers.

Throughout the court proceedings, it was revealed that Morton’s abuse extended over nearly a decade, during which he exploited his trusted position within the Methodist church to carry out his heinous acts. His grooming involved pretending to be in love with his victims, falsely portraying their relationship as a loving one, when in reality, he was using his authority to satisfy his own sexual desires. The court noted that his ability to continue his abuse was facilitated by his education and social skills, which he used deliberately to come into contact with pubescent boys.

In November of the previous year, Morton pleaded guilty to ten charges involving two boys, aged 12 and 13, committed between 2002 and 2004 within the Tamworth and Lichfield Methodist districts, as well as at his former residence. Further charges were admitted in April, including eight additional counts involving a 14-year-old from the North-East and a 15-year-old from Lichfield. These charges included taking indecent photographs of the 14-year-old, engaging in sexual activity with him, indecent assault on the 15-year-old, and gross indecency committed in 2001.

The abuse was uncovered after one of the boys confided in police that Morton, after taking responsibility for youth activities at a church in Lichfield, began to cuddle him. The abuse escalated to Morton stripping the boy naked, dressing him in women’s clothes, and even buying him silicon breasts and a blond wig for his 14th birthday. Morton also tied the boy to a bed and blindfolded him, engaging in acts of gross sexual indecency, as described by prosecutor Antonie Muller.

Morton was dismissed from the church group after someone observed him touching the boy, but he continued his perverted relationship with the victim, warning him not to tell anyone, claiming he would lose his job and face imprisonment. The case’s publicity prompted other victims to come forward, including a Staffordshire boy who described Morton performing a sexual act on him, and another 15-year-old who revealed Morton would wake him up to touch him. This latter boy, overwhelmed by the trauma, attempted suicide by slashing his wrists, expressing a desire to see Morton face the death penalty in Texas.

In the North-East, Morton befriended another teenage boy through online interactions and a trip to the cinema. During this trip, Morton placed his hand on the boy’s leg, and although initially resisted, the boy eventually succumbed to Morton’s manipulations. Morton later performed oral sex on him, an act the boy described as making him feel “sick.” The boy also revealed that Morton took naked photographs of him, further illustrating the extent of his exploitation and manipulation.

Defense lawyer Stefan Kolodynski acknowledged Morton’s remorse, stating, “He recognizes what he has done is wicked. In terms, this will be a life sentence. He knows his victims will know that he has been punished appropriately.”

Judge Mark Eades condemned Morton’s actions, emphasizing the severity and persistent nature of his predatory behavior. He highlighted how Morton’s trusted position within the church allowed him to carry out his abuse over many years, damaging his victims profoundly. The judge concluded that Morton’s conduct warranted a sentence that reflects the gravity of his crimes, effectively a life sentence, with parole only considered when the Parole Board determines he is no longer a threat to society.