Cruise Passenger Jailed After Suffocating Woman Du...

Key Points:

• A person acquired a jail time period of three years and 10 months after admitting he deliberately suffocated a girl with a pillow.
• The assault passed off on an unidentified cruise in April 2025.
• The sufferer survived the assault and is credited with aiding police of their investigation.

Cruise ships are supposed to be an area for rest and escape. A violent incident throughout an unidentified April 2025 crusing, nonetheless, led to a felony case that ended this week in a UK courtroom.

David Morris, 57, from Wolverhampton, has been sentenced to 3 years and 10 months in jail after pleading responsible to the intentional suffocation of a girl whereas the 2 have been on a cruise.

The sentencing passed off on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court docket.

The incident occurred in April when Morris suffocated the sufferer with a pillow whereas onboard. Authorities didn’t identify the ship or its itinerary however stated the assault occurred through the voyage.

Police stated Morris initially denied accountability throughout a custodial interview. He modified his plea in courtroom final month, admitting to the assault.

Investigators say the case moved ahead due to the cooperation of the sufferer, who survived the assault, and the proof collected whereas Morris was in custody.

“We labored tirelessly to assemble proof of Morris’ offending and I’m glad he finally admitted the offence in courtroom,” South Staffordshire PC Liam Avery said.

He counseled the bravery of the sufferer in coming ahead in regards to the assault and aiding within the investigation.

Intentional suffocation grew to become a selected felony offense underneath UK domestic abuse law in 2022, making it simpler for prosecutors to pursue circumstances. The cost doesn’t require long-term bodily hurt for a conviction, solely proof that the act was deliberate.

Cruise-related felony circumstances often attain UK courts when British passengers are concerned. If a criminal offense is reported mid-voyage, the crew notifies ship safety and the suitable nationwide authorities based mostly on the place the ship is crusing.

Police companies take management as soon as a ship reaches a port and suspects may be detained onboard till regulation enforcement meets the ship.

Cruise Crime Not Remoted

The assault got here only one month previous to a separate case making headlines within the UK when a 60-year-old man died during a cruise after an assault.

The incident occurred on Might 3, 2025, roughly 2.5 hours into an MSC Cruises voyage and whereas the vessel, MSC Virtuosa, was nonetheless in British waters.

Police stated the person died following an altercation onboard and arrested a 57-year-old man from Exeter for suspicion of homicide and a second 56-year-old man from London on suspicion of manslaughter.

Learn Additionally: How to Stay Safe and Enjoy Your Cruise Vacation

The case remains to be present process investigation and was an remoted incident throughout a brief voyage to Brugge, Netherlands, from Southampton, UK.

Cruise ship crimes happen all over the world, with the Federal Bureau of Investigation within the US noting an increase in crime in 2025. From January to March 2025 alone, there have been 48 crimes on cruise ships reported to the FBI – the best charge since 2023.

Different arrests have been made all year long for theft, excellent warrants, embezzlement, utilizing fraudulent gift cards and bank cards, carrying firearms, and even leaping overboard.

Cruise ships have safety groups, surveillance, and cabin telephones for emergencies, and the identical penalties for crimes on land will happen if dedicated onboard a ship.