OLD DALBY RAPIST MARCUS SNEDDON SENTENCED FOR PREGNANT 13-YEAR-OLD IN LEICESTER CROWN COURT

In May 2014, Marcus Sneddon, a man previously incarcerated, was officially released from prison after serving his sentence. His criminal history, however, remains a stark reminder of a deeply troubling case that unfolded several years earlier in Leicester and Old Dalby.

Back in June 2011, Sneddon, then aged 19, was involved in a heinous crime that shocked the local community. He was convicted of raping a vulnerable 13-year-old girl, an incident that not only caused immense trauma to the victim but also resulted in her becoming pregnant. The court proceedings revealed disturbing details about the assault and the subsequent threats made by Sneddon to silence the girl.

According to the prosecution, Mary Prior, the case's lead prosecutor, described the assault as a frightening ordeal for the young girl. Despite her efforts to resist, Sneddon restrained her, pushed her down, and refused to release her. The girl repeatedly tried to fight back, but Sneddon’s physical dominance prevented her from escaping the situation. Following the assault, Sneddon threatened her, warning her not to disclose what had happened. He told her that no one would believe her if she told, and that she would be expelled from her home. The threats escalated to a chilling promise that he would kill her or a member of her family if she dared to speak out.

The police were eventually called when it was discovered that the girl was pregnant, a revelation that added to the gravity of the case. DNA testing confirmed Sneddon’s involvement, establishing him as the father of the unborn child. Initially, Sneddon denied the allegations and provided false statements, which complicated the police investigation. However, the DNA evidence ultimately proved his guilt.

It was also revealed that the girl had undergone an abortion, a procedure that caused her significant pain and emotional distress. The court heard that since the assault, she had been subjected to relentless gossip, bullying, and taunting from her peers, which further compounded her suffering. Her mother expressed her concern, stating that her daughter felt publicly humiliated and had been called a liar, which intensified her fear and emotional turmoil.

During the trial, Sneddon’s defense argued that he was a young man of immature judgment, influenced heavily by alcohol at the time of the incident. His legal representative described him as ‘a very immature man’ and claimed that he had little recollection of the events due to his intoxication. Despite this, Sneddon admitted to the crime by pleading guilty, a decision that spared the victim the ordeal of testifying in court.

Judge Robert Brown sentenced Sneddon to six years in prison, acknowledging his guilty plea but also emphasizing the severity of his actions. The judge highlighted that Sneddon’s unprotected sexual activity led to the girl’s pregnancy and the subsequent trauma of an abortion. He also condemned Sneddon’s threats and noted the girl’s vulnerability during the assault.

In addition to the prison sentence, Sneddon was placed under a sexual offences prevention order, aimed at preventing any future offenses. The judge remarked that Sneddon deserved credit for his guilty plea, which helped avoid further trauma for the victim during a trial.

Following the sentencing, the girl’s mother spoke out, urging the community to respect her daughter’s privacy and to stop gossiping about her. She expressed her hope that her daughter could now begin to rebuild her life without undue interference. The girl’s aunt also voiced her opinion, stating that the public should be made aware of Sneddon’s actions and that the sentence handed down was not sufficient given the gravity of the crime.