MARK MARRIOTT CHARGED WITH CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN CHESTERFIELD AND SHEFFIELD

In a disturbing case that has shocked the communities of Chesterfield and Sheffield, Mark Marriott, a 44-year-old former bus driver, has had his prison sentence significantly reduced following an appeal. Marriott, who previously resided on Richmond Park Crescent in Sheffield and was living in a caravan in Chesterfield at the time of his arrest, was initially sentenced to two and a half years in prison for sending lewd and indecent images to young girls. His case has garnered widespread attention due to the nature of his offenses and the impact on his victims.

Marriott targeted three young girls aged 12 and 13, sending them inappropriate images and messages during bus journeys around Sheffield. The court heard that he used Bluetooth technology to transmit these images, which allowed him to send content without needing the girls’ phone numbers directly. This method of communication made his actions more insidious, as it concealed his identity and made detection more difficult.

The first incident occurred in December 2010, when Marriott was driving a bus to the Crystal Peaks shopping centre. During this journey, he sent a photograph exposing himself to a 13-year-old girl. The following April, he continued his misconduct by sending a pornographic message to a 12-year-old girl shortly after she disembarked from his bus in Sheffield. His disturbing behavior did not stop there; he also sent sexually explicit texts containing sexual remarks to another girl.

In May 2011, while operating the number 52 bus route, Marriott sent an indecent image to another 13-year-old girl. He also made a troubling comment in a message, stating: “If you’re under 16 I will pay you.” These actions led to his immediate dismissal from his position as a bus driver once the authorities uncovered his offenses.

The impact on his victims was profound. One girl was left so traumatized by Marriott’s actions that she experienced suicidal thoughts and became too frightened to leave her house or travel on buses. The case highlighted the severe emotional and psychological damage caused by such predatory behavior.

Marriott’s background includes an 18-year career in the Navy, which added a layer of concern regarding his abuse of authority and trust. At the time of his arrest, he was living in a caravan in Chesterfield, having previously resided in Sheffield. His actions prompted a series of legal proceedings, culminating in his initial sentencing at Sheffield Crown Court in April 2012, where he was sentenced to two and a half years in prison.

However, Marriott’s legal team challenged the severity of his sentence, arguing that it was excessive and that the sentencing judge, Simon Lawler QC, had overstepped the guidelines. During the appeal hearing, Mr Justice Sweeney criticized the original judge’s approach, describing it as “frank disobedience” to sentencing standards. As a result, Marriott’s sentence was reduced to a three-year community order with supervision, and the indefinite sexual offences prevention order previously imposed was shortened to five years. The restrictions on his contact with girls under 16 were eased to allow him to seek employment, reflecting a more lenient approach to his rehabilitation.

Despite the reduction in his sentence, Marriott remains under strict supervision, and he has been ordered to attend an offenders’ treatment program. His case continues to serve as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by individuals who abuse positions of trust and the importance of vigilant law enforcement in protecting vulnerable young people from exploitation and harm.