New Book Tells inside Story of Alan Morris Sexual Abuse Investigation

By Matthew Taylor
Messenger
May 1, 2015

http://www.messengernewspapers.co.uk/news/12927428.New_book_tells_inside_story_of_Alan_Morris_sexual_abuse_investigation/

A TRAFFORD author will release a startling account of the abuse he and others received at the hands of shamed teacher Alan Morris next month.

David Nolan, a former pupil of St Ambrose Catholic College in Hale Barns, will unveil ‘Tell the Truth and Shame the Devil’ during a unique book launch event at Local Creation in Altrincham on Thursday, June 25.

Reverend Morris, a former deacon, was imprisoned for nine years for a string of sexual abuses carried out on St Ambrose schoolboys between the 1970s and early 1990s.

David, 50, forfeit his right to give evidence during the trial in order to produce an ITV documentary about the scandal and contact former victims.

Pupils responded in their hundreds. Many featured in the book have waived their right to anonymity and will be in attendance during the unique launch event.

“In a way I think this is going to be one half book launch and one half mass therapy session,” explained David.

“A lot of the lads have never been in the same room together for many years, and some come from different generations altogether, but they have this shared experience.”

David said his book would pull no punches in describing Morris’ actions.

The 64-year-old was found to have taken sexual pleasure from chastising young boys, but as well as featuring the impact on the victims, the book will take the reader through the court process.

“If adults are appalled by it or repulsed by it, then imagine how it felt being a little boy and how frightening and repulsive it was.

“God forbid anyone finds themselves in this situation. But if they do this book can be there to explain what a sexual abuse trial is like: What you will have to do; how the police will look after you. Almost like a manual.”

The book will also explore complex, psychological feelings following justice.

“It doesn’t end when the judge passes sentence. Some of the lads actually felt awful. A part of them inside felt: ‘God, I’ve contributed to an elderly man going to jail’, and then been angry with themselves for feeling like that.”

While the book launch promises to be an unprecedented, emotional event for attendees, David said the initial reaction by venues across Manchester provide there was still some way to go.

“Approaching places to try and get this organised, they would say: ‘oh, how exciting a book launch, what’s it about?’ And when I told them, they’d say ‘nope’.

“It just shows there are still people out there that would prefer it was kept all nice and quiet and in a box.”

He added: “People might say ‘why are you digging this up; it’s all in the past’. But it isn’t. It’s not in the past of these lads who have been so damaged. They will have thought about it this morning.

“During this process I’ve made a lot of friends and reacquainted myself with people I knew years ago.

“I’m the lucky one. I’ve got the most out of this. I’ve been able to see the process through and see a bad man go to jail. If I’m somehow representing the other lads, then that’s a privilege.

“I’m lucky that I can ring up a publisher and they will let me do this

“If you’re a kid suffering in a care home somewhere; you don’t have that privilege.”

Event free but space is limited. To attend, email david@mediaexpertise.net.