MARCO AGUILAR JARAMILLO FROM GUILDFORD AND BURPHAM SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC SEXUAL ABUSE OF YOUNG GIRLS

In a disturbing case that has shocked the communities of Guildford and Burpham, Marco Aguilar Jaramillo, a school caretaker, was sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being found guilty of heinous sexual offenses involving young girls. The crimes, which spanned over a period of time, involved the abuse of girls as young as five years old, with Aguilar Jaramillo preying on their innocence in both his home and at his workplace.

Aguilar, aged 48 and originally from Ecuador, was employed at George Abbot School in Burpham, Guildford. His background includes working as an accountant in Ecuador before relocating to England in 1997. He later took up roles as a caretaker at the school and at the Methodist Church in Guildford for two years. Aguilar, who has four children from previous relationships in Ecuador, married his current wife after moving to England.

The court proceedings revealed that Aguilar’s criminal activities began in the summer of 2007, continuing until December 2009. During this period, he engaged in a series of sexual assaults on three young girls, two of whom he raped and one he sexually assaulted. The assaults took place at his residence, where he lured the girls, and in the school environment, although none of the victims attended George Abbot School.

The victims’ families, who trusted Aguilar as a caring and responsible individual, were devastated upon learning of his true nature. The court heard that Aguilar had built a reputation as a loving husband and a trustworthy figure within the community, which made his betrayal even more shocking. His relationships with the families appeared to be friendly, and they expressed no concerns about their children playing in his home or being in his company.

The crimes came to light in December 2009 when the police were informed. Prosecuting barrister Wayne Cleaver emphasized the profound trauma inflicted on the victims and their families, stating that they now find it difficult to trust others with their children. The families described Aguilar Jaramillo’s actions as devious and deeply damaging, both to the girls and to their loved ones.

During the trial in October, Aguilar pleaded not guilty to all six charges, which included two counts of rape and other sexual assault offenses. The court heard that he had committed these acts while the girls were in his home, and in some cases, in the toilet. Despite his denial, the evidence presented was compelling.

Judge Susan Matthews, presiding over the case at Guildford Crown Court, sentenced Aguilar to 15 years in prison for the two counts of rape. Additionally, he received a concurrent sentence of seven years for the sexual assault charges. Aguilar was also ordered to register as a sex offender and was issued an indefinite sexual offences prevention order. The judge condemned his actions as sickening and noted the significant breach of trust, especially considering that the offenses occurred under the noses of his wife and the children’s parents.

In her sentencing remarks, Judge Matthews highlighted the calculated nature of Aguilar’s crimes, describing them as blatant and committed with increasing cunning. She pointed out that Aguilar’s continued denial and disparaging attitude towards the victims hindered efforts to rehabilitate him. The court also reviewed a psychological assessment indicating that Aguilar showed little understanding of the harm caused and did not view the victims as such, further complicating intervention efforts.

Following the sentencing, Surrey Police’s Detective Inspector Jo Hayes expressed her relief that Aguilar was now behind bars. She emphasized the importance of community safety and praised the bravery of the victims for coming forward. Detective Hayes reaffirmed the police’s commitment to pursuing justice for victims of such predatory behavior, stating that these crimes have had a lasting impact on the victims and their families. She concluded by thanking those who reported the offenses, which enabled law enforcement to bring Aguilar Jaramillo to justice and prevent him from harming others in the future.