MARK BOLTON SENTENCED TO 22 YEARS IN PRISON IN KINGSTON FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES

MARK BOLTON SENTENCED TO 22 YEARS IN PRISON IN KINGSTON FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES

A 55-year-old man, Mark Bolton, of New Malden, has been sentenced to a total of 22 years in prison after being found guilty of multiple child sex offences.

The sentencing took place on Friday, November 5, at Kingston Crown Court, following his conviction on September 2 after a court trial.

Bolton was convicted of five counts of raping a child, two counts of attempted rape of a child, seven counts of sexual assault of a child, one count of assault by penetration of a child, and one count of sexual activity with a child.

He was also found guilty of two counts of causing a child to engage in or watch sexual activity, along with one count each of taking indecent photographs of a child and voyeurism.

Known previously as Dermot Bolton, he committed these offences over a span of nine years against two girls under the age of 13.

Bolton was known to both the victims and their families.

The police investigation was triggered after one of the victims spoke to a staff member at their school.

The school then contacted the child's mother, who called the police on December 1, 2020.

An urgent investigation was launched, and Met officers arrested Bolton the same day.

Detective Constable Katy Waddington, who led the investigation for the Met’s South West BCU, commented: “The details of this case were some of the most distressing I have heard in six years investigating child abuse.” She added, “Mark Bolton sexually abused the children, grooming them and ultimately securing their silence.

He used covert hidden cameras and his knowledge of IT to further his sexual interests in children, all while presenting himself as a respectable family man.” Waddington praised the victims, saying: “I continue to be in awe of victims who come forward to face their abusers, even more so in cases where the abuse was by someone they trusted.

There are not enough words to describe the bravery and dignity shown.

I hope the children and their families will find some peace moving forward, and that the lengthy prison sentence will reassure them as they begin to rebuild their lives.” In addition to his 22-year prison term, Bolton was handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will be on the Sex Offenders Register for life.