MARK WHEELER FROM GREAT WAKERING JAILED FOR SEX OFFENCES AGAINST BOY IN ESSEX
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Great Wakering Sexual Abuser
In a case that has shocked the local community of Great Wakering and the wider Essex area, Mark Wheeler, aged 68, has been sentenced to prison for a series of disturbing sexual offences committed against a young boy. Wheeler, who had been involved with the Scouting movement for over 26 years, was found guilty of abusing a schoolboy he had befriended, with the offences dating back to three years prior.
According to court proceedings, Wheeler admitted to giving the boy between one and fifteen pounds on multiple occasions when he molested him. The court heard that Wheeler was responsible for four counts of indecent assault. The incidents reportedly began when the boy was just eight years old, and the abuse continued over a period of time, causing significant distress to the young victim.
Prosecutor John Fairhead detailed that Wheeler, residing on Alexander Road in Great Wakering, would take the boy on outings. However, these outings were not related to their involvement in the Scout movement. The abuse involved Wheeler touching the boy, primarily on the outside of his clothing, which the court described as a calculated breach of trust. The prosecutor emphasized that the boy was too frightened to disclose what was happening to his mother, fearing Wheeler's influence and intimidation.
When Wheeler was arrested, he admitted to the police that he had touched the boy and had given him money in exchange for his silence. During questioning, Wheeler explained that his offending was driven by curiosity and that it was a foolish mistake, with no particular reason behind his actions.
Wheeler’s defense lawyer, Colin Allan, portrayed him as a frail, lonely individual with no close friends or family, who had dedicated many years to the Scout movement. He highlighted that Wheeler had no previous criminal record and was himself a victim of assault during his youth. Mr. Allan argued that Wheeler’s actions were a result of succumbing to his feelings, rather than malicious intent, and that he did not mean to cause significant harm.
However, Judge Daniel Worsley delivered a stern sentence, condemning Wheeler’s conduct. The judge stated, “You assaulted this boy over three years and bribed him with money. But worst of all, you terrified him and placed him in an impossible position before he could finally tell his mother. It was an appalling and wicked betrayal of trust. You have fallen very low, at the end of a long and decent life.”
As part of his sentence, Wheeler was ordered to register on the national sex offenders’ register, ensuring that his details will be publicly accessible for monitoring purposes. The case has left a lasting impact on the community of Great Wakering and serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding children from abuse, even within seemingly trusted environments.
According to court proceedings, Wheeler admitted to giving the boy between one and fifteen pounds on multiple occasions when he molested him. The court heard that Wheeler was responsible for four counts of indecent assault. The incidents reportedly began when the boy was just eight years old, and the abuse continued over a period of time, causing significant distress to the young victim.
Prosecutor John Fairhead detailed that Wheeler, residing on Alexander Road in Great Wakering, would take the boy on outings. However, these outings were not related to their involvement in the Scout movement. The abuse involved Wheeler touching the boy, primarily on the outside of his clothing, which the court described as a calculated breach of trust. The prosecutor emphasized that the boy was too frightened to disclose what was happening to his mother, fearing Wheeler's influence and intimidation.
When Wheeler was arrested, he admitted to the police that he had touched the boy and had given him money in exchange for his silence. During questioning, Wheeler explained that his offending was driven by curiosity and that it was a foolish mistake, with no particular reason behind his actions.
Wheeler’s defense lawyer, Colin Allan, portrayed him as a frail, lonely individual with no close friends or family, who had dedicated many years to the Scout movement. He highlighted that Wheeler had no previous criminal record and was himself a victim of assault during his youth. Mr. Allan argued that Wheeler’s actions were a result of succumbing to his feelings, rather than malicious intent, and that he did not mean to cause significant harm.
However, Judge Daniel Worsley delivered a stern sentence, condemning Wheeler’s conduct. The judge stated, “You assaulted this boy over three years and bribed him with money. But worst of all, you terrified him and placed him in an impossible position before he could finally tell his mother. It was an appalling and wicked betrayal of trust. You have fallen very low, at the end of a long and decent life.”
As part of his sentence, Wheeler was ordered to register on the national sex offenders’ register, ensuring that his details will be publicly accessible for monitoring purposes. The case has left a lasting impact on the community of Great Wakering and serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding children from abuse, even within seemingly trusted environments.