MARIO BONCHELLI SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS IN BOURNEMOUTH FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF SCHOOLBOY

In a case that has shocked the Bournemouth community, Mario Bonchelli, a man with a troubling history of sexual offenses, was sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 12 years for his heinous crimes involving a vulnerable 14-year-old boy. The Bournemouth Crown Court heard detailed accounts of Bonchelli’s manipulative and predatory behavior, which spanned over several years, beginning in July 1997 and continuing until June 2000.

According to the prosecution, Mark Worsley, Bonchelli, a father-of-one residing on Talbot Road in Bournemouth, initially befriended the young boy during a day out at the beach. During this outing, Bonchelli bought the boy and two of his friends ice creams, seemingly innocent on the surface. However, the relationship quickly took a darker turn as Bonchelli invited the boys back to his home, where the environment became increasingly inappropriate and dangerous.

Worsley explained that once at Bonchelli’s residence, a significant amount of alcohol was consumed, and on some occasions, music, cigarettes, and cannabis were involved. The court was told that Bonchelli’s behavior escalated over time, culminating in sexual activity with the boy during a third visit. The court heard chilling details of how Bonchelli blindfolded the boy and tied him to a bed after asking if he wanted to have sex with a girl, fabricating a story about a prostitute named Becky to lure the boy into a false sense of security.

It was revealed that Bonchelli continued this pattern of abuse both when the boy was sober and when he was intoxicated, showing a disturbing pattern of predatory conduct. The court also learned that Bonchelli had indecently assaulted a 14-year-old girl, further highlighting his pattern of offending against minors.

The victim, the court was told, felt trapped in the relationship and was afraid that Bonchelli would disclose his activities to his father, adding to the psychological trauma inflicted upon him. The court also heard that the boy’s school friend was brought to Bonchelli’s home, where she was also subjected to indecent assault, further emphasizing the extent of Bonchelli’s misconduct.

During the proceedings, Bonchelli’s defense lawyer, Iain Ross, argued that his client was in need of psychological help. Ross claimed that Bonchelli believed his actions were part of a loving relationship, a misconception that he suggested was a hallmark of this type of offending behavior. The defense also noted that Bonchelli appeared ashamed of his actions, which could be a step toward rehabilitation through future sex offender programs.

However, Judge Samuel Wiggs was unequivocal in his sentencing. He stated that Bonchelli had turned what could have been a friendship into a homosexual relationship with a young boy who was not fully aware of his own sexuality at the time. The judge emphasized the profound psychological harm caused to the victim and highlighted Bonchelli’s long history of sexual offenses, which included ten previous convictions between 1972 and 1981. Judge Wiggs expressed concern that Bonchelli did not seem to grasp the seriousness of his actions and noted the high risk of further offending.

As a result, Bonchelli was sentenced to 12 years in prison, with the court ruling that he would not be eligible for parole until he had served at least half of his sentence. Additionally, he will remain on license until the end of his term and is required to register with the police for the rest of his life, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities to protect the public from further harm.