MARC ROBERTS FROM LIVERPOOL SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENCE IN WREXHAM
In a case that has spanned over a decade, Marc Roberts, a 34-year-old man from Hartington Road in Liverpool, has been convicted and sentenced for a serious sexual offence committed against a young boy in the Wrexham area.The incident dates back to 2004, when the victim was only 13 years old, and it has taken years for justice to be served.
Roberts was found guilty of abusing the sleeping boy and making threats to silence him, a revelation that has left a lasting impact on the victim.
The court heard that the offence occurred during a period when Roberts was staying over at a house in Wrexham.
The victim, now an adult in his twenties, was a boy at the time of the incident, which took place in a context of alcohol consumption and vulnerability.
Judge Rhys Rowlands delivered the sentence, condemning Roberts for taking advantage of the young boy while under the influence of alcohol.
The judge emphasized that the offence involved performing a sexual act on the sleeping child, an act that Roberts ceased only when the boy awoke and attempted to push him away.
The court was told that Roberts then threatened the boy, warning him that if he told his father about what had happened, he would be blamed for initiating the encounter.
This threat was taken seriously by the young victim, who was effectively coerced into silence.
Judge Rowlands remarked that Roberts had managed to evade justice for many years, and he highlighted the profound effect that the long-held secret had on the victim.
The court acknowledged that the victim found it difficult to come forward for many years, and the case underscored the lasting trauma caused by such abuse.
The judge pointed out that Roberts, who is eight years older than the boy, was aware that such behaviour was illegal but chose to take the risk while intoxicated.
Roberts has a criminal history, but this was his first conviction related to a sexual offence.
During the proceedings, the defense attorney, Andrew McIness, argued that Roberts had experienced a difficult upbringing and was struggling with his own sexuality.
McIness also noted that Roberts had issues with alcohol but had ceased drug use and was making positive progress following the death of a long-term partner.
The defense emphasized that the threat made to the boy was not intended to facilitate the offence and that Roberts stopped the act once the boy woke up.
The court was told that Roberts had been staying at a house in Wrexham when the offence occurred in 2004.
Although Roberts pleaded not guilty to a charge of sexual activity with a child, a jury composed of eight women and four men found him guilty after deliberation.
As part of his sentence, Roberts was ordered to serve four years in prison and was also mandated to register as a sex offender indefinitely, reflecting the severity of his crime and the need for ongoing monitoring.
In delivering the sentence, Judge Rhys Rowlands expressed that Roberts's actions were a grave breach of trust and a serious criminal offence.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of justice for victims of sexual abuse, regardless of how much time has passed since the incident.
The court's decision aims to both punish the offender and protect the community from future harm.
