A Shift in Destiny

Born in 1958 in Hyde, Manchester, Gene faced academic challenges early on, leading to his eventual departure from school. His fascination with crime scene investigation television shows fueled his ambition to enter the field. At 19, he stumbled upon an advertisement for correspondence degrees in a detective magazine, which opened a door to his dream life without requiring genuine effort.

Through a website named affordabledegrees.com, Gene obtained a BSc in Forensic Science, a Master's degree in Forensic Investigation, and even a Doctorate in Criminology, all accredited by the fictitious Rochville University. Armed with these fabricated credentials, he was ready to pursue his illusory career as a forensic expert.

The Master of Deception

In 1977, Gene established the Criminal & Forensic Investigations Bureau, claiming to have received training from a former West Yorkshire police officer and to have honed his skills during a trip to Prague. Operating from a home office, he advertised in the Solicitors Journal and employed genuine forensic scientists to conduct handwriting and fingerprint analyses, passing off their work as his own while charging clients exorbitant fees. For instance, he billed nearly £2,000 to analyze a condom wrapper linked to a rape suspect.

For over two decades, Gene successfully convinced others of his expertise, testifying in court and repeatedly lying under oath. However, in 2004, a critical blunder would lead to his downfall.

A Costly Mistake

By 2004, Gene had established himself as a prominent expert witness for the UK’s Crown Prosecution Service. However, when approached by a pair of grieving parents seeking answers about their son's sudden death, Gene's failure to provide clarity led them to investigate his credentials. Shockingly, they uncovered that Gene had been deceiving them for 27 years, having pocketed £250,000 in taxpayer money for his fraudulent services.

Following this revelation, Gene was arrested and charged. In February 2007, he was convicted on 22 counts of deception, perjury, and obstructing justice at Minshull Street Crown Court. Despite the gravity of his actions, he insisted on being addressed as Dr. Morrison during proceedings and received a five-year prison sentence. Authorities were also tasked with reviewing 700 cases in which Gene had provided expert testimony to identify potential miscarriages of justice.

A Disturbing Revelation

As news of Gene's long-standing deception spread, 21-year-old Natasha Nield came forward, revealing that Gene had sexually assaulted her as a child. Gene had initially gained her family's trust by presenting himself as a forensic expert and taking her to church. However, he was a predator who exploited her vulnerability.

Natasha recounted how Gene's gifts and kindness masked his predatory behavior, leaving her traumatized. She expressed her anguish, stating, "My scars will never heal. He stole my childhood and my virginity and left nothing but pain."

In the wake of Natasha's testimony, eight other victims came forward, recounting similar experiences of exploitation between 2000 and 2007. Gene had preyed on vulnerable girls, posing as a father figure and luring them with gifts before assaulting them.

The Trial and Its Aftermath

Gene, now 51, was already serving a two-year sentence for fraud when his trial for sex crimes began in 2019. Heartbreaking testimonies from his victims echoed in the courtroom as they recounted their suffering. Despite Gene's continued denial of the charges, the jury found him guilty on multiple counts of chil