UK man who defiled and bribed children found guilty

A UK national accused of raping two girls during his stay in Kenya has been found guilty of 9 child abuse offences.

According to court reports, 72-year-old Keith Morris is said to have defiled vulnerable children in a village in Kilifi County between 2016 and 2017 under the pretext of supporting their families.

“Not only did he abuse and defile vulnerable children but he attempted to manipulate and bribe them into helping him prove his innocence,” said the UK’s Crown Prosecution Service

During a three-week trial in Leeds Crown Court in the UK, the court was told how Morris popularly known as ‘Mozzy’ befriended the young victims’ families over the past 20 years, giving household goods, clothing and education.

The jury also heard how the pensioner attempted to influence Kenyan associates into proving his innocence all the while pressurizing witnesses into not giving evidence thus facing two charges related to manipulating the course of justice.

“Thankfully, those attempts failed and due to his victims’ courage Morris now faces significant jail time for his horrific crimes,” said Prosecution.

One of the young victims who testified via live video link from Mombasa described how ‘Mozzy’ had done “bad things” to her when they were staying at a hotel then told her she would be in trouble if she told anyone about it.

According to Graham Ellis, an operations manager from the UK’s National Crime Agency, Morris spent many years integrating himself into the local community making him a trusted figure to people that lived there and then abused that trust in the worst possible way.

Morris now awaits ruling on 4 counts of rape, 3 counts of sexual assault by penetration and 2 counts of perverting the course of justice.

The accused is due to be sentenced in Leeds on July 17, 2018.