'Depraved' paedophile who raped young girl jailed

Anthony Morrissey denied the offences but was found guilty by a jury

A "depraved" paedophile who raped a young girl after "exploiting her trust" has been jailed.

Anthony Morrissey, 69, had was found guilty of four sex offences relating to a girl aged under 13 after an eight-day trial.

Morrissey, of Old Swan, Liverpool, was found guilty of rape, causing a child to engage in sexual activity and causing a child to watch sexual activity.

He was sentenced to 13 years in prison and will be made subject to a one-year extended licence period at Liverpool Crown Court.

'Utterly appalling'

He was also given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will remain on the sex offenders register for life.

The offences took place in Liverpool in December 2021 and Morrissey, of St Oswald’s Street, was arrested in February 2022.

After the sentencing, Det Con Leanne Rodgers thanked the "bravery and determination" of the victim and her family throughout what was a "complex investigation".

“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," she said.

“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."

She added that she hoped the sentence would provide some comfort to the child and her family.