SEX offender and former St Ambrose Catholic College teacher, Alan Morris, was last week sentenced for 19 sexual offences against scores of male pupils he was entrusted to care for between the late 1970s and early 1990s.

One of his victims, journalist and author, David Nolan, forfeit his right to give evidence in Morris' trials and decided to use his skills to give a unique insight into the criminal justice process, by making a documentary with ITV.

David said while he does not think Morris' treatment of him has affected him in later life, making the programme, which aired on ITV Granada reports last Thursday, was a form of closure for him. (August 28)

"I'm not a saint, the main reason I'm doing this is to make me feel better, but extra to that, if this gives some people the confidence to come forward, not just from Saint Ambrose but other victims as well, then that's a good thing.

"The police in Altrincham have been fantastic, they're my friends now, they really look after you before, during and after court..

"Giving evidence isn't the nicest thing in the world but it really is OK."

Explaining his decision to withdraw from giving evidence himself, David said: "I just thought, well if I give my evidence, great, but if I am able to look at the trial as a whole, follow the police in what they were doing, even confronting Alan Morris outside of court.

"It was just an opportunity I couldn't miss."

The former Hale resident also stated his belief in the importance that Morris, 64, has now been brought to justice.

"The bottom line is this: if this was happening to one of your kids, you would want the person doing it to be punished," said David.

"The fact it happened 35 years ago is irrelevant.

"Those little boys are 40 and 50 years old now, but what he did was still wrong and it needs putting right."

The author, who specialises in music and popular culture biographies, said many of Morris’ victims came forward after reading about his initial arrest in Messenger.