KEVIN MARLOW FROM ROTHWELL ILLICITLY WORKED WITH CHILDREN AT WICKSTEED PARK IN KETTERING
In July 2017, Kevin Marlow, a 55-year-old resident of Cambridge Street, Rothwell, was convicted after falsely claiming he had no prior convictions to secure employment working with children at Wicksteed Park in Kettering.Marlow was sentenced on Tuesday, July 11, at Northampton Crown Court for breaching a Sexual Offences Prevention Order and committing fraud by false representation.
The court heard that Marlow had previously been sentenced in 2010 to a community order following convictions for two counts of sexual assault against a 12-year-old girl.
As part of his punishment, he was banned from having contact with children.
Despite this, Marlow managed to secure seasonal positions at Wicksteed Park, including a role as a ride operator in May 2016, and again in January 2017.
Prosecutor Priya Bakshi explained, “The offences were uncovered when a fairground operator contacted police suspecting that a registered sex offender was working at the park." Marlow's role involved operating rides designed for children aged three to 13, requiring him to assist children onto and off rides and securely strap them in.
It was reported that he would physically lift children and place them in the ride seating.
On his applications, Marlow falsely indicated he had no previous convictions, ticking ‘no’ on his forms.
Although government guidelines allowed some discretion due to the nature of his job, Wicksteed Park later sought checks after concerns emerged.
When requested to produce documents for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, Marlow refused.
Following this, the park’s employers conducted their own research and suspended him once they discovered possible convictions.
When questioned about his record, he denied having any convictions and refused to supply the requested documentation.
It remains unknown how many hours he worked or his earnings, but it is estimated he earned around £5,000 during his employment.
Marlow admitted to the charges of breaching the Sexual Offences Prevention Order and fraud earlier in the proceedings.
He was in custody since his arrest and appeared at court via a video link from HMP Woodhill.
His Honour Judge Fowler stated, “You had physical contact with children, which you have shown you find sexually attractive.
It is fortunate that no complaints of abuse have been made while you worked there.
It will horrify every parent and affect the reputation of the park, which you deliberately deceived into employing you and paying you.” He was sentenced to 20 months imprisonment for breaching the order, with an additional 12 months for each count of fraud, to run concurrently.
Marlow will serve 10 months behind bars, with the rest on licence.
In a separate case in February 2010, a man from Wellingborough named Kevin Marlow, then aged 47 and residing on Oak Way, was sentenced after pleading guilty to two sexual assaults on a 12-year-old girl on August 19 of that year.
Recorder Stephen Lineham QC imposed a three-year community sex offender treatment program and placed Marlow on the sex offenders' register.
