MARC CORRIERI FROM MOTHERWELL CAUGHT IN SEX OFFENDER SCANDAL AFTER HARASSING SCHOOLGIRLS IN GLASGOW AND HAMILTON

In September 2014, Marc Corrieri, a 22-year-old dwarf entertainer from Motherwell, found himself at the center of a serious criminal case involving allegations of sexual harassment and inappropriate messaging directed at young girls. Corrieri, who was known for his performances at stag parties and hen nights, where he would dress up as characters like Superman or an Oompa Loompa from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, was accused of engaging in disturbing online behavior that targeted minors.

Corrieri charged up to £150 an hour for his entertainment services, which included accompanying revelers during lively party nights. Despite his jovial stage persona, he was exposed as a pervert who used social media platforms, particularly Facebook, to harass and probe young girls about sex. His boastful claims about wealth, including owning a flashy car, and offers of employment as a face painter to one girl, were part of his manipulative tactics. However, his actions came under scrutiny when a mother, horrified by the explicit messages her daughter received, discovered the messages and feared her daughter was being groomed.

Following this discovery, police intervened, leading to Corrieri’s appearance at Hamilton Sheriff Court. He was subsequently sentenced to perform 240 hours of unpaid community service and was ordered to register as a sex offender for a period of three years. Corrieri had earlier admitted to four charges of sending sexually explicit messages to two 13-year-olds and two 16-year-olds, with the offenses spanning from May 2011 to August 2012.

During the court proceedings, his defense lawyer, Stephen McQuillan, emphasized the seriousness of the matter but requested leniency, highlighting that Corrieri was unemployed and living with his parents. McQuillan urged the court to consider alternatives to imprisonment, asserting that Corrieri fully understood the gravity of his actions.

The court was informed that Corrieri initially contacted a pair of twin sisters when they were 15 years old via Facebook. Depute fiscal Imran Bashir detailed that Corrieri had asked the sisters to go for a walk with him and sent them regular messages, which they ceased for about six months. When they turned 16, Corrieri resumed contact, and the messages became increasingly 'creepy,' with him claiming to be their boss and expressing concern that he might wait for them after work.

Additionally, Corrieri contacted a 13-year-old girl he met at an under-16s disco where he worked. He initially offered her a job face-painting for £50 a day but soon began sending her sexual messages and inquiring about her sex life. Another 13-year-old girl was also contacted repeatedly, with Corrieri asking about her school and offering to pick her up. All these girls had no prior acquaintance with him before he initiated contact.

Corrieri had previously expressed that he enjoyed his entertainment career, which involved strict rules to maintain his dignity. He stated, “It’s a different career. I wanted to have a laugh and I just thought, ‘go for it’.” He described his act as dressing up as Superman or an Oompa Loompa and emphasized that he drew the line at dressing as a woman. His rules included no physical contact, no tampering with his drinks, avoiding the use of the word ‘midget,’ and no police involvement.

Sheriff Joyce Powrie concluded the hearing by stating that Corrieri would be subject to a community payback order and supervision. He was also required to attend a sex offenders’ group work program. The sheriff warned that non-compliance would result in breach proceedings and likely imprisonment, emphasizing the seriousness of the court’s stance. Corrieri declined to comment on the case.

In August 2014, Corrieri, then 21, faced similar allegations, with reports highlighting his ability to earn up to £750 per night by performing at stag parties, often by handcuffing himself to grooms. His pattern of contacting underage girls on Facebook, including a 13-year-old girl he met at an under-16s disco, was detailed in court documents. He initially offered her a face-painting job but soon started asking about her sex life, sending sexually explicit messages. Corrieri admitted to four charges related to these messages, which spanned from May 2011 to August 2012.

Police intervention was triggered when a mother discovered the messages, fearing her daughter was being groomed. Corrieri, who did not know any of the girls before messaging them, boasted about his wealth and flashy car. His contact with the twin sisters resumed when they turned 16, with the messages becoming more ‘creepy’ and sexual in nature. The court heard that Corrieri would send multiple messages daily, asking about their personal lives and making sexual remarks, further illustrating his predatory behavior.

Corrieri’s career, which he described as a way to have fun and attract attention from women, was marred by these allegations. His conduct led to his placement on the sex offenders’ register, and he is scheduled for sentencing next month. The case underscores the dangers of online grooming and the importance of safeguarding minors from exploitation, even when the perpetrator presents himself as a performer engaging in seemingly innocent entertainment.