Primary school deputy principal in court accused of rape and other child abuse offences

A primary school deputy headteacher has appeared in court charged with 18 offenses of child sexual abuse, including two counts of rape.

Julie Morris, 44, pleaded no contest to the charges when she appeared via video link from HMP Styal at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday.

Her co-defendant, David Morris, who is unrelated and the two are not married, pleaded guilty to 34 felonies.

Julie Morris worked at a primary school in Wigan but the allegations are not related to her employment.

The offenses took place between 2018 and this year.

She is accused of:

• Nine counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity

• Three counts of indecent photography of a child

• Two counts of rape

• Two counts of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child

• One count of possession of indecent photographs of a child

• A number of employment in sexual communication with a child

Julie Morris, of Ancroft Drive, Hindley, could be seen crying during the 30-minute hearing.

David Morris appeared via video link from HMP Altcourse and admitted seven counts of rape.

The 52-year-old, of Sandfield Road, Eccleston, also pleaded guilty to:

• 13 charges for determining or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity

• Three counts of voyeurism

• Two counts of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child

• Two counts of engaging in sexual intercourse with a child

• Making indecent images, categories A, B and C

• Possession and distribution of indecent images, possession of an extreme pornographic image and possession of a prohibited image of a child

Judge Andrew Menary QC adjourned the case to December 22, when Julie Morris will stand trial on the charges and David Morris will be sentenced.