A children’s mental health counsellor who landed a job with an Angus school after appearing in court accused of multiple serious sex offences has been sentenced to more than three years in prison.
Morgan Prior was convicted of raping one woman and a serious sexual assault on another following a trial at Dundee High Court.
The 33-year-old – a self-proclaimed “men’s right activist” – had previously appeared in a BBC documentary where he boasted of his polyamorous lifestyle with multiple girlfriends.
Outraged parents contacted The Courier after we revealed Prior had been employed by mental health charity Place2Be, and worked with children in Arbroath — months after his first court appearance — where he faced a number of sexual assault and rape charges, including sexual assault against a 16-year-old.
The self-proclaimed “men’s rights activist” was cleared of allegations involving the teenager but was guilty of rape and sexual assault.
Maintains his innocence
Prior was found guilty of committing his first sexual assault between October 1 and 31 2010, at a house in Blackness Street, Dundee.
He removed his ex-partner’s clothing, seized her by the buttocks, seized her legs, pinned her to a bed and made sexual remarks to her while repeatedly touching her legs, without consent.
He raped another woman, at the same address, between December 1 and 31 in 2010, pinning her to the bed with his legs.
At a sentencing trial in Glasgow, the high court heard although Prior maintained his innocence, he accepted the verdict of the jury.
Solicitor advocate Marco Guarino, in mitigation for Prior, said: “Despite the maintenance of his position, he wishes to advise the court he respects the position of the jury.
“My Lordship will impose a custodial sentence, of that there is no doubt.
“I ask your Lordship to take into account the accused’s lack of record, his until-now good work ethic and he has no outstanding matters.
“I would point out these matters happened 13 years ago.
“He has been offence free in that time.”
Mr Guarino added: “He has been in committed, long term relationships in that time, one for almost ten years and with another woman for four.
“To suggest he has deviant sexual preferences would be unjustified.”
Lack of consent
Sentencing Prior, of Wards Avenue, to 40 months Judge William Gallagher said: “I heard directly from the persons involved and yourself.
“I have also had the chance to read the victim impact statements and have read the social work reports and heard from your counsel.
“You were convicted on what were each serious matters.
“They were based on evidence which the jury accepted.
“One of your complainers told how she did not want the act to happen, but you ‘shooshed’ her as you carried it out.
“There was a lack of consent.
“I take into account your lack of record, the impact this will have on your chosen career, which will no longer be open to you.”
Prior, 33, was placed on the Sex Offenders Register “indefinitely”.
- This article has been amended to change the description of the alleged victim of the not proven sexual assault from “child” to “16-year-old”.
While our original article was in line with the Scottish Court and Tribunal Service’s interpretation of charge one of the indictment faced by Prior, The Courier is happy to offer this clarification. The allegation was found not proven after trial. Prior is serving a 40-month jail sentence after being convicted of separate counts of rape and sexual assault, and is on the Sex Offenders Register for an indefinite period.
For the latest court cases across Tayside and Fife, join our Courts Facebook page.
