School Suspends Two Staff Members after Allegations They Knew about Teacher's Campaign of Abuse against Students

By Todd Fitzgerald
Manchester Evening News
November 10, 2014

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/school-suspends-two-staff-members-8085995

Alan Morris

A school has suspended two members of staff over allegations they knew about the sexual abuse carried out by a disgraced former teacher.

Pervert Alan Morris was jailed for nine years for an horrific 17-year campaign of abuse against boys at St Ambrose RC College in Altrincham.

Morris, 64, of Hale, was found guilty of spanking and groping pupils for his own gratification while he was a teacher at the all-boys grammar school.

The M.E.N. understands the two long-serving teachers, who both hold senior positions, were suspended in September after allegations were made by a former pupil. An investigation is under way.

A school spokesman said: “Following allegations from a former pupil that two members of staff may have been aware of Alan Morris’ activities, on the advice of the police and local authority, the school has suspended those two members of staff pending an independent inquiry.”

Morris, also an ordained deacon, was jailed in August after being found guilty of 19 charges relating to the abuse of 10 boys during the 70s, 80s and 90s. A further 28 offences involving 18 boys were ordered to lie on file.

At his trial, the jury heard Morris, of Rivington Road, Hale, joined the school as a chemistry teacher in 1972, using his position of power to prey on vulnerable pupils.

The son of Manchester United legend Willie Morgan, Scott Morgan, was among his victims - and waived his right to anonymity in a bid to encourage other victims to speak out.

Morris had a reputation as a strict disciplinarian who relished administering corporal punishment and had a terrifying ‘bag of implements’ - including a cane and a leather strap.

He saw himself as ‘chief policeman’ of the school, the court heard.

Youngsters were taken into a small room in his lab and while being beaten, were often also indecently assaulted.

They were also made to beat each other. Morris went on to become a deacon at the Church of the Holy Angels in Hale Barns, while he continued to teach at the school until November 1995.

Even after his retirement, he continued as a deacon.

Delivering sentence at Minshull Street Crown Court, Judge Timothy Mort concluded Morris had ‘shamefully used’ his victims for his own sexual gratification.