Wirral social worker accused of fondling boys

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 on Wirral.

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 yesterday.

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: “The allegations are of a sexual nature, said to have been perpetrated against three vulnerable service users at the centre.

“Of course, 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.”

He added that the claims only came to light after two of the boys – Mr A, who is now 37, and Mr B – met Morris again at another care centre.

On that meeting, he told the panel: “You will hear, in May 2004 at X day centre, of the reaction of A and B to that meeting and the process by which the disclosures were made.”

During a largely private session yesterday the panel watched video interviews with Mr A, who has cerebral palsy, and Mr B. They also listened to a recording of an interview with Mr C.

Two of the boys’ mothers – Mrs A and Mrs B – are also expected to give evidence in the coming days. The hearing is expected to last 10 days.