MARCU MARriott SHAMES Bournemouth AND SHEtland WITH SEX OFFENCE CASES
| Red Rose Database
Bournemouth Surrey Shetland Dorset Emotional/Psychological Child Abuser Sexual Abuser Child Sexual Abuser
In 2012, Marcus Marriott, a talented pianist and creative composer, saw his promising career come to an end after he was sentenced to six months in jail for creating pornographic images on his home computer. Bournemouth Crown Court learned that Marriott, 34 at the time and a former musical director and vocal coach, had taught children at two Bournemouth-based theatre schools before his arrest on September 20 of the previous year. Marriott pleaded guilty to 29 counts of making indecent photographs of children.
The court was told that Dorset police, acting on information from Surrey police, executed a search warrant at Marriott’s residence in August. Prosecutor Angela England explained, "The raid uncovered more than 600 indecent movies and 136 pornographic still images on his home computer."
During his interview with officers, Marriott admitted he was homosexual and sexually attracted to young boys. Ms. England added, "He used his computer to suppress these feelings, but his cravings for such material grew into a significant addiction." The court was informed that Marriott's involvement in Bournemouth's music and theatrical scene had brought him into contact with children as young as six.
Defending Marriott, his lawyer described the case as "sad in many ways," asserting that Marriott was previously a man of impeccable character and was deeply ashamed and mortified to be present in court. The lawyer said, "He has an excellent reputation and has enjoyed a successful ten-year career in musical teaching, which is now largely over for him. He resigned immediately after being charged and fully admitted to the offenses. Downloading these images became a daily habit, and he fell into addiction. In a strange way, being exposed in this shameful manner has also brought him relief."
The court also heard that Marriott had moved to Shetland to live with his mother and had sought help for his "addiction" after facing vilification and social rejection once his crimes became public. Judge Samuel Wiggs sentenced Marriott, emphasizing the importance of future rehabilitation: "I very much hope that upon his release he will be able to continue his career without harming children in any way."
Marriott, of Parkview, Dunrossness, Shetland, was designated a sex offender for seven years and is prohibited from working with children unless he discloses his conviction.
In a related case in 2020, Marriott, then 42 and still residing in Dunrossness, appeared at Lerwick Sheriff Court after accessing 30 indecent images of children between September 12 and December 8 of the previous year at an address in Brae. The court was informed that seven of these images were classified as category A, the most severe, with 14 in category B and nine in category C.
Defense lawyer Tommy Allan explained that Marriott viewed this behavior as an addiction and that it occurred during a difficult personal time. "He has sought help to address this issue and is committed to change," Allan said. Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie highlighted the seriousness of the offense.
Sheriff Ian Cruickshank considered all factors, including the actions’ severity and rehabilitation prospects, and decided that prison was unnecessary. Instead, Marriott was sentenced to three years of supervision, 200 hours of unpaid work, and was required to participate in the "Moving Forward: Making Changes" program. He was also placed on the sex offenders register for three years and the device involved in the offense was forfeited.
The court was told that Dorset police, acting on information from Surrey police, executed a search warrant at Marriott’s residence in August. Prosecutor Angela England explained, "The raid uncovered more than 600 indecent movies and 136 pornographic still images on his home computer."
During his interview with officers, Marriott admitted he was homosexual and sexually attracted to young boys. Ms. England added, "He used his computer to suppress these feelings, but his cravings for such material grew into a significant addiction." The court was informed that Marriott's involvement in Bournemouth's music and theatrical scene had brought him into contact with children as young as six.
Defending Marriott, his lawyer described the case as "sad in many ways," asserting that Marriott was previously a man of impeccable character and was deeply ashamed and mortified to be present in court. The lawyer said, "He has an excellent reputation and has enjoyed a successful ten-year career in musical teaching, which is now largely over for him. He resigned immediately after being charged and fully admitted to the offenses. Downloading these images became a daily habit, and he fell into addiction. In a strange way, being exposed in this shameful manner has also brought him relief."
The court also heard that Marriott had moved to Shetland to live with his mother and had sought help for his "addiction" after facing vilification and social rejection once his crimes became public. Judge Samuel Wiggs sentenced Marriott, emphasizing the importance of future rehabilitation: "I very much hope that upon his release he will be able to continue his career without harming children in any way."
Marriott, of Parkview, Dunrossness, Shetland, was designated a sex offender for seven years and is prohibited from working with children unless he discloses his conviction.
In a related case in 2020, Marriott, then 42 and still residing in Dunrossness, appeared at Lerwick Sheriff Court after accessing 30 indecent images of children between September 12 and December 8 of the previous year at an address in Brae. The court was informed that seven of these images were classified as category A, the most severe, with 14 in category B and nine in category C.
Defense lawyer Tommy Allan explained that Marriott viewed this behavior as an addiction and that it occurred during a difficult personal time. "He has sought help to address this issue and is committed to change," Allan said. Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie highlighted the seriousness of the offense.
Sheriff Ian Cruickshank considered all factors, including the actions’ severity and rehabilitation prospects, and decided that prison was unnecessary. Instead, Marriott was sentenced to three years of supervision, 200 hours of unpaid work, and was required to participate in the "Moving Forward: Making Changes" program. He was also placed on the sex offenders register for three years and the device involved in the offense was forfeited.