A former Wrexham mayor who admitted indecently assaulting a man in the town centre has been given a conditional discharge for two years. Local councillor Michael Morris held his head in his hands and came close to tears as magistrates watched a video of the incident on Friday.
The 50-year-old from Bowling Bank, Wrexham was seen approaching a man who was leaning drunk against a shop in the early hours of Sunday morning. Morris was arrested after being caught on CCTV cameras, and police were alerted following a tip-off from the security camera operator.
Magistrates were told the defendant had walked over to the man and placed his hand on his groin. He walked away and did the same again.
When arrested he told officers: "I don't know what you mean. I was trying to help him."
Prosecutor Huw Evans said Morris had since accepted what he had done. "He admitted he had a sexual motivation when he carried out that assault." he said. "You will see from the video that the victim didn't know what was happening to him." adding "He had an awful lot to drink and was completely unaware until police told him what had gone on."
Giving a Conditional Discharge, Magistrates said the offence was at the very low end of the scale. As the assault was on a man over the age of 16 he will not have to sign the Sex Offenders Register.
Since the incident, Mr Morris has been forced to resign from his job. Defence solicitor John Hughes said Mr Morris has suffered greatly from his actions. "In six days he has lost everything." he said. "He has lost his job as a bursar at a school. He held that post for 27 years and enjoyed his work but because of the nature of the offence he had to resign. adding "His dignity has been punctured completely."
Mr Morris was mayor of Wrexham from 1995 to 1996 and also worked for the local parish councils. He will be allowed to continue his work as a local councillor.
Tory councillor Mike Morris, who presides over Wrexham Council's Planning Committee, is said to have made the comments after permission was granted for 51 houses on land surrounding Llay’s Royal British Legion last month.
Major Donald Moore, who lives in Holt, spoke up against the proposals, as he said the land was paid for by the ex-services community which did not want the scheme to go ahead. During his speech at Wrexham’s Guildhall he also made reference to the Magna Carta, which was alluded to by planning officer David Williams shortly after councillors voted the plans through.
In a webcast recording which can be viewed on the council’s website, Mr Williams is heard to say "Did he quote the Magna Carta last time?" Councillor Morris, who represents Holt on the local authority, then responds "Yes he did, bloody old fool. He lives in my ward!" Soon afterwards, he seemed to realise his microphone was switched on and turns it off.
Earlier in the debate, there was an abrupt exchange between the pair after Morris told Major Moore he had gone over the allocated time limit for public speakers.
The former aircraft accident investigator for the British Army then wrote to the Council's Monitoring Officer to complain about the politician’s comments. In his letter, he criticised the 'unacceptable behaviour' of Morris and called for him to stand down from his committee role.
He said "Age is a relative matter and I do not consider myself to be old."
"I may be many things but I am not a 'fool', old or otherwise. I spoke on behalf of those Llay residents who gave their lives in two world wars so that we, Mr Morris and Mr Williams can live in peace. Mr Morris is clearly unfit to hold the office of chairman of the planning committee and should resign that post."
Major Moore explained that he mentioned the Magna Carta as he believed the committee's decision to go against its previous conclusion to refuse the plans was a breach of the 803-year-old document.
He also accused Mr Williams of failing to show respect and asked for his conduct to be investigated.
The scheme – which includes a shop and a boxing club – was resubmitted by staff at the RBL headquarters in London after it was originally turned down last year. The U-turn by councillors came despite objections from local members who fear their club will close, as well as concerns about the additional pressure on Llay’s GP surgery. A spokesperson for Wrexham Council said: "We can confirm that this matter has been raised with the council and it is being looked into."
Councillor Morris said he did not wish to comment until after the authority’s investigation has concluded.