EASTHAM, TRAMNEE, AND WIRRAL PAEDOPHILE STANLEY CLARIDGE AND REGINALD MORTON SENTENCED FOR DECADES OF ABUSE

In a disturbing case that has spanned over three decades, depraved individuals Stanley Claridge and Reginald Morton, both from the Wirral area, have been convicted of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of minors. The case, which has garnered significant media attention, highlights the long-standing struggle of victims to seek justice against their abusers.

Stanley Claridge, an 81-year-old man from Eastham, Wirral, was sentenced in July 2011 after serving only nine years of his original 15-year prison term. His crimes, which involved abusing numerous children, date back to the 1970s and continued into the early 1980s. Claridge was found guilty of 19 charges, including rape, buggery, and indecent assault, and was convicted at Liverpool Crown Court. The court heard that Claridge’s offenses primarily took place on the Noctorum estate in Birkenhead, where his victims ranged in age from six to 17 years old.

Reginald Morton, aged 73, a former market trader from Aspendale Road, Tranmere, was also convicted and sentenced to 12 years in prison. His crimes included three counts of rape and five counts of indecent assault. Both men’s crimes involved young girls and a boy, with the abuse occurring between 1975 and 1980. The court described Claridge’s actions as an “appalling catalogue of abuse,” which included not only rape but also acts of exploitation, such as forcing a young girl to have sex with multiple men aboard a ship, effectively acting as her pimp.

The third man involved in the case, David King, a former club singer from Eastham Rake, was sentenced to five years after being convicted of one count of rape and one of indecent assault. King, aged 59, was visibly distressed during the trial, burying his head in his hands when the verdict was announced.

The victims’ courage in coming forward was notably exemplified by Karen Claridge, now known as Shy Keenan, who initiated the legal proceedings by contacting a journalist from the BBC’s Newsnight programme. Her statement expressed the long-lasting trauma she endured, stating, “This nightmare has lasted for 35 years and it should never have been so difficult for me and all the other victims of these perverts to bring the truth out.”

Following the broadcast of the report in November 2000, authorities launched Operation Phoenix, a joint investigation by Merseyside Police and Wirral Social Services. This operation led to the arrest of seven men, including Brian Kearney, aged 59, from Wallasey, Wirral. Kearney was cleared of charges related to raping and indecently assaulting a girl, although some charges were dropped. The investigation also resulted in the decision to leave certain charges against three other men on file, as the Crown Prosecution Service determined that pursuing a trial was not in the public interest.

Both Claridge and Morton were ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life, reflecting the severity of their crimes. The court restrictions on reporting the trial were only lifted on the Friday following their sentencing, underscoring the sensitive nature of the case. Keenan, who waived her right to anonymity, issued a public statement through Max Clifford, expressing her relief: “I am so relieved that justice has at last been done.” The case remains a stark reminder of the importance of perseverance and courage in seeking justice for victims of sexual abuse.