Deputy head teacher jailed for child sex abuse banned from profession

Julie Morris was jailed in December 2021 at Liverpool Crown Court for 13 years and four months after she and partner David Morris, from St Helens, filmed themselves raping and sexually abusing a girl under the age of 13.

The teacher had worked at St George’s Central CE Primary School in Tyldesley since 2011, and had been safeguarding lead for the school.

The court heard the offences did not relate to her employment, but she had sent photos of pupils at the school to partner David Morris.

The sexual abuse took place between 2018 and 2021 mostly at David Morris' home in Eccleston, St Helens.

Julie Morris, of Ancroft Drive, Hindley, Wigan, was jailed for 13 years and four months and given a four year extended licence.

She had pleaded guilty to two counts of rape, nine of inciting child under the age of 13 to engage in sexual activity and two of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.

She also admitted three counts of taking indecent images of a child, one of engaging in sexual communication with a child and one of possessing indecent images of a child.

Meanwhile, David Morris, 52, of Sandfield Road, Eccleston, St Helens, who admitted to 34 offences, was sentenced to 16 years in prison, and given a four-year extended licence.

David Morris (Image: Merseyside Police)

At the sentencing, judge Andrew Menary KC said: "This is one of those cases sadly which demonstrates that human depravity really knows no depths."

A Professional Conduct Panel has barred Julie Morris from teaching for life due to the "nature and gravity" of her offences.

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The panel found her "actions were fundamentally incompatible with her being a teacher" and her conduct "at the serious end of the spectrum" with their "nature and gravity" a "matter of significant concern".

The panel added: “Her conduct ran counter to what should be at the very core of the practice of a teacher with a duty of care towards children.

"The fact that Ms Morris was also the safeguarding lead at her school makes her offending all the more shocking in that, whilst the designated point of contact for welfare and safety concerns at the school, she herself was engaged in abusing a child, albeit not one at the school.”

Julie Morris worked at St George's CE Primary School, Tyldesley (Image: Google Street View)

It also found that "there is a real risk of Ms Morris repeating her offending behaviour" and noted her actions were "deliberate and sustained, and there was no evidence that she was acting under duress".

Julie Morris was prohibited from teaching indefinitely in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home.

David Oatley, who made the decision to prohibit her from teaching, added: “Furthermore, in view of the seriousness of the allegations found proved against her, I have decided that Ms Morris shall not be entitled to apply for restoration of her eligibility to teach”.