Man jailed for 14 years for child sex offences

A man from Old Swan has been jailed for 14 years after being found guilty of child sex offences. 
 
Anthony Morrissey, 69, of St Oswald’s Street, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today, Tuesday 4 June, when he was sentenced after being found guilty of rape, causing/inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity and causing a child under 13 to watch sexual activity.
 
He was also given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will be on the Sexual Offender Register for life.
 
Morrissey carried out the offences in Liverpool in December 2021 and he was arrested in February 2022. 
 
Detective Constable Leanne Rodgers said: “Thanks to the bravery and determination of the victim and her family, we were able to carry out a complex investigation that led to Morrissey being put before the courts.
 
“Despite denying the allegations, Morrissey was found guilty of his utterly appalling and depraved actions and he will now spend a significant amount of time in prison.
 
“A court heard how Morrissey exploited the trust of a child to sexually abuse her. As you can imagine for victims of such appalling crimes, the impact on them is significant and long-lasting. I hope this sentence provides some comfort to the child and her family.
 
Detective Inspector Daniel McWhinnie added “We are completely committed to protecting children from sexual abuse and those who seek to do them harm. 
 
“If you have experienced any form of sexual abuse, or know of a child being abused, please come forward and report this to police. 
 
“We take all such reports extremely seriously and if you can find the courage to come forward and speak to us we have specially trained officers who will treat you with sensitivity and compassion.”
 
If you are a child or young person suffering sexual or physical abuse, the following organisations can also provide help and support:
NSPCC – call 0808 800 5000 or e-mail [email protected].
Childline – call 0800 1111
 
If you’ve been affected by sexual violence of any kind don’t be afraid to tell someone, find the courage to come forward and get the help you deserve.
 
You can report rape, sexual assault and other sexual offences anonymously here: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences/how-to-report-rape-sexual-assault-other-sexual-offences/
 
There is a lot of support available from specialist officers within Merseyside Police and through the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Victim Care Merseyside service delivered jointly by two registered charities.
 
In Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral, support is provided by Rape and Sexual Abuse Support (RASA) Merseyside who are available on 0151 558 1801 and, in St Helens and Knowsley, by the Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC) Cheshire and Merseyside who can be contacted on 01925 221 546 or 0330 363 0063.
 
Merseyside Police also works with other UK forces, agencies and the Child Exploitation Online Protection centre as well as law enforcement agencies across the world who share our determination to protect children from dangerous offenders online.
 
Here is a guide by Merseyside Police and The National Crime Agency's CEOP Education team on how to help protect children and young people from online child sexual abuse:

• https://www.merseyside.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/caa/child-abuse/online-child-abuse/ 
• https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/