NOTTS MAN CAUGHT ONLINE GROOMING YOUNG GIRLS AND POSSESSING CHILD ABUSE IMAGES
Samuel Marriott, a 24-year-old from Abbott Crescent, Farnsfield, engaged in a disturbing online pursuit involving children.He messaged girls aged 11 and 12, requesting photos with bikinis or underwear, and sent explicit images of his own genitals, claiming it would help him "get aroused" if they sent similar photos.
Marriott also possessed nearly 200 child abuse images on his phone, including videos of children between six and twelve years old and explicit content involving children as young as three.
Additionally, he had 21 images of a woman engaging in sex acts with a dog.
The Nottingham Crown Court heard that Marriott first contacted a girl called Lexi through the chat app Kik on September 6, 2023, claiming she was an 11-year-old schoolgirl and he was "twice your age." He asked her about a 'beach day' and suggested she send pictures of herself in a bikini, describing her as "cuteness" being "multiplied".
He also asked her to video herself changing clothes.
On October 4, he messaged her again, saying if he kissed her, he would have his hand on her private parts, and requested her to touch herself, suggesting videos of her changing would excite him.
The second victim, another undercover police officer named Alice, was approached similarly from October 9, 2023.
Marriott asked her for pictures during school break and later sent a partially clothed selfie and a question about her pajamas or underwear.
Arrested on November 30, Marriott’s phone was found to contain 181 child abuse images, including 32 of a serious category.
He admitted to the offenses, claiming it was "out of loneliness." He pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, possession of indecent images, prohibited images, and extreme pornographic images.
The court sentenced him to 18 months in jail, suspended for two years, and ordered him to attend a 26-day rehabilitation program, complete 25 therapy sessions, and perform 80 hours of unpaid work.
Marriott will also be on the sex offender register for 10 years and is subject to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order, with the payment of £150 towards prosecution costs.
