MARCUS PRESSLEY FROM WELLS AND RUTLAND SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC CHILD RAPE IN EXETER

In a disturbing case that has shocked the communities of Wells and Rutland, a man named Marcus Pressley has been convicted and sentenced for the heinous sexual assault of a young girl, an incident that dates back over a decade. The crime, which took place when the victim was only seven years old, involved a series of deeply disturbing acts carried out by Pressley, who was 18 or 19 at the time of the offense.

According to court proceedings, Pressley lured the young girl into a situation of manipulation and abuse. He initially coerced her into watching a pornographic video featuring adults engaged in sexual acts, instructing her not to tell anyone about what she had seen. The girl, terrified of Pressley's temper and the potential consequences of disobedience, kept her ordeal a secret for many years, only revealing the truth when she reached her teenage years. The emotional and psychological toll of this trauma has been described as nearly destroying her life, with her suffering from persistent flashbacks, severe psychological issues, and a profound distrust of strangers and men.

The court heard that the assault occurred during a single incident when Pressley was in his late teens. He had searched for a pornographic video on a computer tablet and then asked the young girl if she wanted to do something similar. When she refused, Pressley forcefully undressed her and proceeded to violently rape her. Despite her protests and refusal, he continued the assault, even promising her money for further sexual acts. The victim recounted that she was terrified by Pressley's threats and coercion, which left her with lasting emotional scars.

Pressley was found guilty of four serious charges, including two counts of child rape, sexual assault by penetration, and causing a child to watch a sexual act. The court was told that all these offenses occurred during the same incident. The victim, in a heartfelt statement read in court, described her ongoing suffering, stating, “I feel mentally crushed. He scarred me in such a monstrous way, I feel helpless, lost, numb and scared all the time because of the trauma he’s created.”

Judge Timothy Rose addressed the court, acknowledging the impact of the crime on the victim’s life. He described her statement as moving and eloquent, emphasizing the severity of Pressley's actions. The judge condemned the acts as truly dreadful and noted that the victim’s life had been significantly blighted by the events of that day.

Pressley, who was originally from Wells but now resides on West Road, Oakham in Rutland, was sentenced to 10 years in prison. The court also ordered that he serve two-thirds of his sentence before being eligible for release, reflecting the gravity of his crimes and the need for justice for the young girl he victimized.