By Anna Nalborczyk
Hereford Times [United Kingdom]
June 28, 2007
http://www.herefordtimes.com/mostpopular.var.1504452.mostviewed.vicar_admits_child_porn_charges.php
A HEREFORDSHIRE vicar had hundreds of images of children involved in sexual acts stored on his two computers.
The Rev James Morrish, of Kingstone, admitted 13 child pornography charges when he appeared before Worcester Crown Court on Tuesday.
Tariq Shakoor, prosecuting, told the court that Morrish had sourced 612 pornographic images on his computer during a 45- minute period in the early hours of October 23, 2005.
Judge Alistair McCreath said he had been given guidelines for the case and said it was important to recognise the distinction between downloading images and locating them. In this case, Morrish had been locating pornographic images.
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| the Rev James Morrish pictured at an earlier court hearing |
He added that, at sentencing, he would also take into account whether or not the images had been paid for and, in this case, they had been free.
There was also no suggestion that the defendant intended to distribute the images further, said Samantha Powis, defending, and she added that the incident had been a one-off.
Judge McCreath added: "As outlined by the court of appeal, at worse this case must be marked by a custodial sentence. A custodial sentence between 12 months and three years would be a typical sentence for someone who had been sourcing a large quantity of pornographic material."
But he suggested that Morrish would receive a custodial sentence of something below 12 months and said it would be an issue as to whether a sentence of that length should be served immediately or be suspended.
In total, 816 images were found on Morrish's current and old computer, with 654 images of children in sexual poses and the remainder were of children involved in sexual activity with adults.
Morrish, a father-of-two, had previously denied the multiple charges of making and possessing indecent images of children but pleaded guilty on Tuesday.
Mr Shakoor added that the prosecution would be applying for the defendant to be disqualified from working with children and other relevant requirements.
The 41-year-old had been suspended from his clerical duties as priest in charge of Kingstone, Thruxton and Clehonger parishes by the Diocese of Hereford as soon as he was charged with the offences in February last year.
The judge granted Morrish bail on Tuesday and he will reappear before the courts to be sentenced next month.
Anni Holden, diocese spokesperson, said after the court hearing that Morrish would be speaking to the Bishop of Hereford in the next few days to discuss his position within the Church.
In a statement to the Hereford Times, she added: "We are extremely upset that any priest should behave in this way. This behaviour is way below the standard of any clergy person.
"We also have concerns for the victims in this sort of crime. It is not a victimless crime and the children in the images are the victims.
"Obviously we are awaiting the court's decision on his sentence but Mr Morrish will not be able to continue to be a priest in the Church."
Contact: Anna Nalborczykanna.nalborczyk@midlands.newsquest.co.uk
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