Man jailed for 21 years for non-recent sexual abuse of children

Three women have thanked a detective in our Child Abuse Investigation Team after the man who sexually abused them as children has been jailed. 

Peter Marrington, 59 of Woolmer Road, London appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday (19 August) where he was sentenced to 21 years in prison after previously being found guilty of multiple offences including three counts of rape.   

An investigation into Marrington began in 2016 after Essex Police received a report of Marrington abusing children from the 1980s and the early 2000s in West Essex, Norfolk and London. 

Further enquiries revealed that three young girls had been sexually abused by Marrington with the youngest girl being just six when she was first abused. 

Marrington was arrested in December 2016 and denied all allegations against him. 

Despite this, he was charged with four counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 14 and four counts of rape. 

Following a trial at Chelmsford Crown Court which began on 1 July, Marrington was found guilty of four counts of indecent assault and three counts of rape against a child.

He appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on Monday, 19 August where he was jailed for 21 years. He was also issued with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. 

Following Marrington’s sentencing, one survivor encouraged anyone who has not found the strength to contact police to report. 

“At the time of reporting to the police I had the support of my partner at the time, however I didn’t have total strength until the police believed me and starting to take the statements and getting the ball rolling with the investigation my strength started to grow even more. Then once I found out about more victims from the same person my strength was 100% and I knew I had done the right thing by reporting it.  

“I had no idea what the investigation would look like at the start of it however the police talked me through everything which was very helpful.

“The police are there to help you and to support you throughout the whole process and never judged me, they became part of my life and always believed in me. It maybe a very hard thing to do but it is worth it in the end and it helped me to take a different view of what happen to me. It was the best but hardest decision I’ve ever made and one that I am very proud of.

“All I would like to say is no matter how long the process takes hang in there you are stronger than you think, you are not to blame it’s not you that has done anything wrong.

“You’re the victim and you can do this.”

Another survivor who was abused by Marrington when she was a child said:

“It is not as scary as I thought it was going to be. The police handled my case with sensitivity and care. I didn’t think I would feel any different after the guilty verdict but it has brought me some closure and has made it easier to talk about.  Please don’t suffer in silence speak your truth.

““PC Longhurst talked me through the whole process and kept me updated with what was happening. 

“I cannot thank Essex Police enough for their support, sensitivity and dedication in seeing my case through.”

Another survivor said the following: 

“I had the strength to report to the police as I had a gut feeling what was happening wasn’t right. I had no family or friends to help and I knew I could trust the police to keep me safe and keep me away from Peter Marrington.

“I would say to other survivors, just do it, report them straight to the police and keep away from them. 

“You will be okay, everything will be alright and you will be safe now. 

“It’s important for your own happiness and wellbeing to report sexual abuse to the police or someone you trust that will help you. I went straight to the police because I could trust that the would help and keep me safe."

PC Christopher Longhurst, investigating officer in the case said:

“It takes a strong person to wait eight years for their perpetrator to be found guilty of the horrendous crimes he’d put them through.

“Each of these victims have been patient throughout the delays in court and I’d like to commend them for their patience and strength. Their bravery has meant that this dangerous man is unable to harm anyone else. 

“This was a complex and lengthy investigation and a priority for us was to keep the victims informed so that they had the strength to continue. I have to commend the officers who worked on this case, especially Investigation Support Officer Michelle Wright, who closely supported the victims in taking the majority of the statements and obtained information from witnesses. 

“I understand that a perception of sexual offences investigations is that forensic evidence is needed and that non-recent sexual offences are harder to investigate. 

“Our detectives across Essex Police are trained in investigating all allegations of sexual abuse and will always investigate, whenever a survivor has found the strength to contact us.” 

Support is there for anyone affected by rape and sexual abuse, and no victim or survivor is alone. Synergy Essex provides specialist support for victims and survivors of rape and sexual abuse of all ages and all genders across Essex.

Synergy Essex is a partnership of rape and sexual abuse centres in Essex: CARA (Centre for Action on Rape and Abuse), SERICC Rape and Sexual Abuse Specialist Service and Southend-on-Sea Rape Crisis (SOS Rape Crisis).

Synergy Essex is independent from the police and provides support for victims and survivors throughout their journey.  

Victims and survivors can self-refer, or be referred by a parent, partner, friend or professional and can access specialist emotional support, counselling and advocacy. 

For victims and survivors who report to the police, Synergy Essex provides an Independent Sexual Violence Adviser (ISVA) service, providing support throughout the criminal justice process.  

For more information visit the Synergy Essex website: https://synergyessex.org.uk/