By Lucy Leeson from Hull Daily Mail UK

He was found guilty of a string of sex offences following a three week trial at Leeds Crown Court

With his own successful locksmith business, luxurious holidays to the Caribbean and a sleek red Porsche complete with personal number plate, Keith Morris had it all.

But behind his flash exterior, he was hiding a deep, dark secret.

To the outside world Morris was helping depraved children in Kenya, behind closed doors he had lured the children back to his hotel room abusing his status to rape and sexually assault them.

But who is Keith Morris? We delve into the past of this once respected man, now exposed as a rapist.

A successful Hull locksmith

Morris, 72, built up his successful locksmith business over the decades in Newbridge Road, east Hull. He was known as the reliable, trusted and professional emergency locksmith and was on an approved list used by schools across Hull.

Trusted by thousands, little did they know that his business would become a key part of an investigation spanning across different continents, culminating in his business being raided by police in a desperate bid to find key evidence which would lead to his conviction and justice for his victims.

Morris’ family life

Morris, a father-of-three, had various relationships throughout his colourful life and was rarely seen without a woman on his arm.

He would regularly frequent the New York Hotel in Anlaby Road or attend single nights at other hotels across the city.

A source said: “He was a real ladies man. I can not remember seeing him with any male friends. He always had a lady on his arm.”

Trips to Kenya

Morris had been visiting the rural village in Kilifi County in Kenya for nearly 30 years and had first got involved in charity work because he had seen a child badly burned.

He told the court: “When you have seen people living in these conditions, it’s something you just grow into. It’s just like the pop stars like Midge Ure.

“I would love to spend millions of pounds helping but I was just a drop in the ocean.”

He had supported locals by providing household goods and clothing, as well as paying for medical treatment and education.

By doing this he achieved status and respect but he used this to take advantage and sexually abuse the two young girls he was meant to be looking after.

Suspicions aroused

The National Crime Agency (NCA) began investigating Morris in February last year after a British couple staying in Kenya reported his inappropriate behaviour with children.

Enquiries by the NCA and Kenyan National Police identified in the many years Morris had been visiting a rural village in Kilifi County, Kenya, he frequently took local children away for trips, where he would buy them gifts and stay with them in hotel rooms.

It was on these trips, taken between January 2016 and February 2017, when Morris would conduct his abuse.

He was charged with four counts of rape, three counts of assault by penetrations and four counts of sexual assault.

Giving evidence through a video link at Leeds Crown Court, one of his victims describe how Morris, known to her as ‘Mozzy’ had done “bad things” to her when they were staying at a hotel. He then told her she would be in trouble if she told anyone about it.

Morris tried to cover his tracks

After he was arrested by NCA officers and released on bail in February 2017, Morris transferred money to associates in Kenya in exchange for helping him to prove his innocence.

In addition, officers conducting a further search of his home in August 2017 seized a dictaphone containing audio recordings of phone conversations made after his arrest.

In these recordings, he asked his victims to sign retraction statements stating the sexual abuse had not occurred.

As a result he was also charged with two counts of intending to pervert the course of justice. A jury at Leeds Crown Court convicted Morris of all charges.

Morris manipulated and bribed his victims

Graham Ellis, NCA operations manager, said: “Keith Morris spent many years integrating himself into the local community in Kenya, making him a trusted figure to people that lived there. He then abused this trust in the worst possible way.

“Not only did he sexually abuse and rape vulnerable children but he attempted to manipulate and bribe them into helping him prove his innocence.

“Thankfully, those attempts failed and due to his victims’ courage Morris now faces significant jail time for his horrific crimes.”

The NCA is still appealing for anyone with information about Morris to get in touch with them.

Mr Ellis said: “Travelling sex offenders like Morris think that by conducting their abuse in a remote part of the world, they won’t get caught. However borders are not a barrier and the NCA works closely with international partners to ensure Britons committing offences abroad are prosecuted in the UK.

“I would like to take this opportunity to encourage anyone who may have information on Morris’s offending to contact the NCA on 01925 663355. Alternatively, you can email op.shoran@nca.x.gsi.gov.uk.”

Morris will be sentenced at Leeds Crown Court on July 17.

IMAGES:

K.Morris Emergency Services in Holland Street and New Bridge Road (Image: Katie Pugh)

Keith Morris has been found guilty of rape and sexual assault

Keith Morris (Image: Facebook)

Rapist Keith Morris

For more on this story go to: https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/news/hull-east-yorkshire-news/flash-cars-caribbean-holidays-different-1600789