Social worker accused of molesting boys at Birkenhead centre

Mar 17 2010 by Ben Schofield, Birkenhead News

A SOCIAL worker molested adolescent boys in his care, a disciplinary panel heard.

David Lawrence Morris is accused of abusing three boys staying in an overnight care centre.

He was employed at the un-named Birkenhead centre between July 1981 and April 1992.

But the allegations only surfaced after a chance encounter with two of the boys more than a decade later.

Morris appeared in front of a General Social Care Council (GSCC) conduct hearing on Monday.

A panel heard how the three boys – known only as Mr A, Mr B and Mr C – were allegedly abused on six different occasions by him.

Morris, whose address was not released, denied the charges.

In a graphic account of the allegations, the panel heard how he was responsible for bathing the boys’ and taking them to the toilet.

He is accused of fondling the boys in the bathroom, toilet, TV room and bedrooms.

Each charge also alleges Morris touched the boys “in a manner that was sexually motivated”.

GSCC solicitor Julian Evans told the hearing: “This case concerns allegations of a sexual nature against Mr Morris, said to have been perpetrated against three vulnerable service users at the centre.

“These are allegations that date back a considerable period of time.

“While it is accepted that Mr Morris worked at the centre over a long period of time, it’s difficult to be precise as to when these allegations were said to have taken place.

“The burden remains on the council to prove the allegations of misconduct, that are denied by a man who has been a social worker throughout his working life. There are no other matters against him.”