Deputy headteacher cries as she appears in court charged with rape and child sex offences

29 October 2021, 14:08

Julie Morris, 44, did not enter pleas when she appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today
Julie Morris, 44, did not enter pleas when she appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today. Picture: Alamy

By Asher McShane

A deputy headteacher has appeared in court charged with two counts of rape among 18 child sexual abuse offences.

Julie Morris, 44, did not enter pleas to the charges when she appeared via videolink from HMP Styal at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday.

Her co-accused David Morris pleaded guilty to 34 offences.

Julie Morris, who worked at a primary school in Wigan, is charged with nine counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, two counts of rape, three counts of taking an indecent photo of a child, one count of possessing indecent photos of a child, one count of engaging in sexual communication with a child and two counts of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.

The charges are not related to her employment.

David Morris, who is not related to her, appeared via videolink from HMP Altcourse and admitted seven counts of rape, 13 counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity and two counts of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.

The 52-year-old, of Sandfield Road, Eccleston, also pleaded guilty to taking indecent images, of categories A, B and C, possessing and distributing indecent images, two counts of engaging in sexual communications with a child, three counts of voyeurism, possession of an extreme pornographic image and possession of a prohibited image of a child.

The offences took place between 2018 and this year.

Julie Morris from Hindley could be seen crying during the hearing, which lasted about 30 minutes.

Judge Andrew Menary QC adjourned the case to December 22, when Julie Morris will be arraigned on the charges and David Morris will be sentenced.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Election 2024 Trump Netanyahu

Netanyahu meets with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, offering optimism on Gaza ceasefire

APTOPIX Idaho Wildfires

Air tanker pilot killed as US wildfires spread

Donald Trump reacts after July 13 assassination attempt

Trump struck by bullet during assassination attempt, FBI says

France was rocked by a series of attacks against railway lines early on Friday

Celine Dion kicks off Paris Olympics in rain-drenched opening ceremony after France rocked by rail arson attacks

Highs of 27C are coming this weekend

Heatwave on the way as temperatures to hit 27C this weekend - will your area get some sunshine?

The Park Fire burns along a road in California

Man arrested over California fire sparked by burning car pushed into gully

Israel has hit out at Britain's decision

Israel hits out at Starmer for dropping Britain's challenge to international arrest warrant for Netanyahu

Justin Timberlake at a premiere

Timberlake ‘not intoxicated’ and drink-drive charge should be dismissed – lawyer

What is your least favourite chocolate bars?

Brits divided over UK’s ‘worst chocolate bar’ with one Christmas classic branded ‘disgusting’

The French weather has been wet ahead of the opening ceremony

'Disaster' as flood warning issued for Paris ahead of Olympic opening ceremony, after arsonists target French railways

A crying woman at the site of a mudslide in Ethiopia

Ethiopia declares three days of mourning as toll of mudslide victims increases

Hongchi Xiao has been found guilty of the manslaughter of Danielle Carr-Gomm

Alternative healer found guilty of manslaughter of pensioner in slapping therapy workshop

Kennie Carter

Four teens jailed over revenge murder of 16-year-old Kennie Carter in Manchester, as heartbroken mother pays tribute

Graziano Di Prima has been placed under medical supervision

Ex-Strictly pro Graziano Di Prima 'placed under medical supervision' after being axed over Zara McDermott abuse claims

Insolvent Ted Baker could be set to close all its stores in a matter of weeks

Ted Baker to ‘close all stores’ in a matter of weeks as hundreds face unemployment

Nasa may have found a sign of life on Mars

Nasa finds Mars rock that 'may have hosted life', with mysterious 'features we've never seen before'