A primary school deputy head teacher has been charged with facilitating the rape of a girl under 13.

Julie Morris, who has worked at St George’s Central Church of England Primary School in Wigan for around ten years, was remanded in custody when she appeared in court on Monday.

The 44-year-old, from Hindley near Wigan, has been charged with aiding and abetting the rape of a girl under 13 and inciting sexual activity with a girl under 13.

Police confirmed she had been charged alongside 52-year-old David Morris, of Eccleston, near St Helens, on Merseyside, who is accused of raping the child victim.

He has been charged with three counts of rape of a girl under 13 and inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

David Morris is not Julie Morris’s husband and the pair are not related.

The charges are all alleged to have taken place in Eccleston and are not related to Ms Morris’ work as a teacher in Wigan, police said.

Julie Morris, who is the maths and religious education lead at St George’s school, has been suspended by Wigan Council.

In a letter to all parents, headteacher Mr Grogan said the allegations would be ‘distressing’ and ‘will come as a shock for everyone within the school community’.

‘It is important to emphasise, the charges in relation to the alleged offences are not connected with our school,’ he added.

He urged parents to ‘be mindful’ of the ‘active court proceedings and police investigation’.

Both David Morris and Julie Morris appeared at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on Monday, September 6.

The pair have been remanded in custody to appear at the crown court in Liverpool on October 4.

A spokesperson from Merseyside Police said it is ‘working closely with Greater Manchester Police and Wigan Council to ensure that adequate safeguarding measures are in place’.

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