PAUL MORROW FROM HUDDERSFIELD AND SHIPLEY SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENSES IN BRADFORD

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Huddersfield and Shipley, Paul Morrow, aged 36, has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison for the sexual abuse of a young girl during her childhood. The Bradford Crown Court heard harrowing details of the abuse, which took place in the 1990s when the victim was between the ages of eight and ten, and Morrow was between 14 and 17 years old. The court was told that Morrow, who resides on Longroyd Crescent in Huddersfield, had groomed the girl over a period of several years, engaging in a pattern of manipulative and predatory behavior that exploited her vulnerability.

Judge Roger Thomas QC, the Recorder of Bradford, delivered a stern judgment, emphasizing the gravity of Morrow’s actions. He stated, “This was behaviour you conducted over a period of time, a matter of years. Clearly there was some planning and forethought to it. Clearly it was a breach of trust. In many ways you groomed her to this conduct.” The judge highlighted that the abuse was not a momentary lapse but a calculated breach of trust that had long-lasting effects on the victim.

The court proceedings revealed that Morrow had pleaded guilty to three charges of sexual assault against the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons. Additionally, he was convicted of two further charges of indecent assault following a trial held last month. However, the jury acquitted him of 11 other charges of indecent assault and one attempted rape allegation. The trial and subsequent sentencing shed light on the complex nature of the case, with the jury’s verdict reflecting the evidence presented.

During the sentencing hearing, prosecutor Sarah Mallett described the victim as a vulnerable child who was threatened by Morrow, who warned her that reporting the abuse would result in her being taken into care. The victim, in a heartfelt statement read after the trial, explained how the trauma of the abuse continued to haunt her two decades later. She revealed that she still suffers from nightmares, finds it difficult to form affectionate bonds with her children, struggles with low self-esteem, and is unable to leave her house alone due to her ongoing emotional distress.

Defense barrister Jayne Beckett argued that Morrow had been found not guilty of the most serious allegations and emphasized that he has since changed significantly. She stated that he is now trying to be a responsible father to his three young children, suggesting a desire for rehabilitation and a better future.

Judge Thomas, however, dismissed Morrow’s claims that his actions were motivated by genuine love and affection. The judge pointed out that Morrow’s explanation to police, social services, and the jury was that his sexual misconduct was rooted in these supposed feelings. The judge condemned this as a pathetic and untrue attempt to justify his behavior, asserting, “You took advantage of her. What happened to her as a young child has haunted her.”

As part of his sentence, Morrow was placed under an indefinite Sexual Offences Prevention Order and ordered to register as a sex offender with the police for an indefinite period. The court’s decision underscores the seriousness with which the justice system views such offenses and the importance of ongoing monitoring to protect the community.

Earlier in April, Morrow’s case was brought before the court, where he was released on bail pending sentencing scheduled for May 6. The judge had indicated that he would require a comprehensive pre-sentence report from the probation service before finalizing the punishment. During the trial, Morrow admitted to some charges but denied others, leading to a complex legal process. The jury ultimately convicted him of two additional charges of indecent assault related to the girl he had already admitted to molesting, while acquitting him of the remaining allegations involving her and the second complainant. The court confirmed that Morrow would now be required to register as a sex offender, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the need for ongoing supervision.