DARREN MACKRELL: HORRIFIC CHILD ABUSE IN SOUTHAMPTON LEADS TO INDEFINITE JAIL SENTENCE

In September 2012, a deeply disturbing case unfolded in Southampton involving Darren Mackrell, a 45-year-old man whose heinous actions led to his being sentenced to an indefinite period of imprisonment. Mackrell was found guilty of drugging and sexually assaulting three young children, all under the age of ten, in a series of horrifying events that took place at his flat located on Wilton Avenue.

According to court proceedings, Mackrell had initially befriended one of the children at a local park, which eventually led to him luring the three victims—two boys aged eight and ten, and a nine-year-old girl—back to his residence. Once inside, he subjected them to a six-hour ordeal marked by drug administration and sexual abuse. Mackrell forced the children to strip, and he administered a cocktail of drugs including cannabis, amphetamine, temazepam, and Viagra, with the intent of stupefying them for his own gratification.

The court heard that Mackrell not only raped all three children but also coerced them into engaging in sexual activities with each other. To intimidate and control the victims, he played hardcore pornographic films and brandished a large hunting knife, threatening to harm them if they attempted to leave. The severity of his actions was underscored by the fact that he forced the children to watch sexual acts and inflicted physical threats to maintain dominance.

One of the children’s mothers, concerned about her child's whereabouts, tracked him down to Mackrell’s flat. When her attempts to contact her son failed, she contacted the police. An officer, noticing a pornographic video playing through the letterbox, attempted to break into the property. Eventually, one of the children opened the door, leading to Mackrell’s arrest. The police found evidence of the abuse, including the video, and Mackrell was taken into custody.

During the trial at Winchester Crown Court, Mackrell admitted to a total of 18 charges, including raping the children, sexually assaulting them, causing them to engage in sexual activities, forcing them to watch sexual acts, and administering drugs. The judge, Gary Burrell QC, expressed profound outrage at the case, stating that Mackrell had “plumbed the depths of human depravity.”

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Burrell emphasized the danger Mackrell posed to children, citing a pre-sentence report that highlighted the severity of his threat to the community. The judge declared that Mackrell would serve at least ten years before being eligible for parole, and if he was still deemed a danger, he might never be released. The judge also acknowledged the trauma inflicted on the victims, noting that one boy had self-harmed and written suicide notes, while the girl had been unable to disclose what happened to her.

As Mackrell was led away from the courtroom, one of the victims’ mothers shouted in anger, “I will find you, you fucking piece of shit.” The court proceedings were marked by emotional outbursts from the victims’ families, with one mother stating, “It’s not over until I say it’s over,” and another calling for Mackrell’s execution, saying, “He should hang.” Judge Burrell responded compassionately, acknowledging the understandable nature of their reactions and emphasizing the gravity of Mackrell’s crimes.

Overall, this case has left a lasting scar on the community of Southampton, highlighting the dangers posed by individuals like Mackrell and the importance of vigilant law enforcement and judicial action to protect vulnerable children from such predatory behavior.