Connor Morris, a 26-year-old sexual predator, set up a fake company with the intention of groping and touching women. He created a bogus business, complete with fake employees and rented premises, to deceive victims. Morris used social media advertising to attract women aged 18-30 for what he claimed was “fit modeling work”. Victims were paid £150 for “data research” and offered an additional £50 for “muscle analysis”, which required them to strip naked while Morris touched their bodies inappropriately. Hidden cameras were installed in the fake office to film the victims as well.
Two victims reported the fake company to the police after feeling uncomfortable during the bogus sessions. Authorities later found 32 images of young women taken without their consent at Morris’ home. He initially denied any sexual motivation behind his actions, claiming he intended to sell the gathered information to various clothing companies. However, Morris eventually pleaded guilty to nine charges of sexual assault and three counts of voyeurism between June and July 2020. In court, the prosecution described the elaborate deception Morris had carried out.
The victims, whose identities were violated by Morris, described feelings of disgust, humiliation, and betrayal of trust. They suffered from trust issues, PTSD, and sought counseling following the traumatic experience. Morris, who had no prior criminal record, was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison. His defense lawyer mentioned his client was diagnosed with autism and had taken steps to address his offending behavior with a specialist. The judge emphasized the impact of Morris’ actions on the victims, describing it as a betrayal and humiliation.
One victim expressed disappointment with the lenient sentencing, considering Morris’ actions as a form of grooming and violation of trust. The victim criticized the justice system for not appropriately addressing sexual assaults against multiple women. She vowed to appeal the sentence in hopes of achieving a more severe punishment for Morris. The complexity of Morris’ deceit, the impact on the victims, and the ongoing emotional trauma they experienced were highlighted during the court proceedings. Ultimately, Morris’ predatory behavior and exploitation of vulnerable women led to his imprisonment.
