PETER MARRITT FROM WITHERNSEA SENTENCED TO 18 YEARS FOR RAPE AND INDECENT ASSAULT IN HULL

In a harrowing case that has left the community of Withernsea and the wider Hull area deeply shaken, Peter Marritt, aged 32, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 18 years after being convicted on multiple counts of sexual assault against a young girl. The court proceedings revealed the disturbing details of the abuse, which spanned over a period during which the victim was only a child.

During the trial at Hull Crown Court, it was disclosed that Marritt had repeatedly told his young victim not to disclose the abuse, warning her that she would not be believed if she did. Despite his warnings, the girl eventually confided in her mother about the horrific acts committed against her. However, her mother’s initial reaction was one of disbelief, which added to the trauma experienced by the young girl. It was only after the girl disclosed the abuse to a teacher that authorities were alerted, leading to Marritt’s arrest and subsequent prosecution.

The court heard distressing testimony about the mother’s reaction upon learning of her daughter’s allegations. She reportedly slapped her daughter across the face and pushed her off her knee in a moment of shock and anger. The courtroom was visibly moved, with some jurors visibly emotional as they listened to the evidence presented. Recorder Hyland QC did not hold back in his comments, addressing the mother directly and condemning her actions. He stated that she should be “thoroughly ashamed” of herself for not believing her daughter and described her behavior as “despicable.”

For her part, the mother was found guilty of child cruelty and was sentenced to a 12-month suspended prison term. Additionally, she was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid community service as part of her punishment.

As for Marritt, his legal representative, Rodney Ferm, maintained that his client continues to deny the charges against him. Nevertheless, the court’s verdict was clear. Recorder Graham Hyland QC sentenced Marritt to 18 years in prison, emphasizing the severity of his crimes. The judge described how Marritt had committed these heinous acts against a girl who was likely as young as two years old at the time of the abuse, highlighting the gross nature of his misconduct.

Furthermore, Marritt was prohibited from having any unsupervised contact with individuals under the age of 18. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to protect potential future victims. The case has left a lasting impact on the community, raising awareness about the importance of believing and supporting victims of abuse and the need for justice in such tragic circumstances.