NICHOLAS MCKERROW'S HORRIFIC CRIMES IN CARLISLE AND SEASCAL REVEALED

In February 2020, a deeply disturbing case emerged involving Nicholas McKerrow, a man with a dark and violent history of child sex offenses spanning over a decade. McKerrow, who had previously been known by that name but later changed it, was convicted of heinous crimes committed in West Cumbria, specifically in Seascale, before relocating to Carlisle. His criminal past was only uncovered after he admitted to new historic sex crimes against a young girl, who was at the time of the assault of primary school age.

McKerrow’s latest conviction involved a brutal attack on a young girl, which he carried out while residing in Carlisle. The court heard that he had lured the girl under false pretenses, isolating her and subjecting her to indecent assault and rape. Prosecutor David Bentley described the chilling details of the case, emphasizing the predator’s manipulative tactics and threats. He stated, “He then said ‘this is our little secret’. If you ever tell anybody else, ever, about what’s happened I will hunt you and find you wherever it will be, however long it will be, and I will do it again.”

Despite these threats, the brave victim eventually confided in others, leading to police intervention. She knew her attacker as Nicholas McKerrow, a name he later changed to Mark Parker, which allowed him to evade detection for some time. The victim’s mother also provided a heartfelt statement, describing her daughter’s life as “stolen” by McKerrow’s actions. She called him “a barbaric monster who should never have the opportunity to harm other children,” expressing her hope that no other victims would come forward.

In her impact statement, the victim described her trauma and the lasting scars left by McKerrow’s crimes. She said, “Without any doubt whatsoever my childhood has been stolen because of that man,” and labeled his acts as “dreadful, terrifying, horrific.” She also emphasized the danger he poses, stating, “Mark Parker is a dangerous individual who should not be free to commit devastating offences against those most vulnerable.”

McKerrow’s criminal record is extensive. He admitted to indecent assault and rape, crimes that predated his more recent offenses. His past includes a conviction from 2005, when he was sentenced to a minimum of four years in prison for 11 sex offenses committed against multiple children, both boys and girls aged between seven and 13. At that time, he was known as Nicholas McKerrow and was a worker at Sellafield. The judge at the time, Judge Alan Taylor, described his offenses as “persistent” and of “serious” nature, and ordered that he should not be released until he proved he no longer posed a risk to children.

He served seven and a half years of his sentence, which was initially indeterminate, with the stipulation that he could not be released until a parole board deemed him safe. His release was controversial, given the severity of his crimes. His legal representative, Julian White, claimed that McKerrow “presents himself as a different individual to that who presented himself at the time of the original offending,” but acknowledged that McKerrow accepted his conduct in its entirety.

In a stark judgment, Judge Peter Davies described McKerrow’s recent crimes as “wicked, exploitative, mean, perverted and corrupt,” emphasizing the devastating impact on victims and stating, “You are responsible for destroying people’s lives, and only you are responsible.”

Further back in time, in November 2005, McKerrow, then known as Nicholas McKerrow, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the abuse of eight children in Seascale. The judge, Judge Alan Taylor, highlighted the seriousness of these offenses, which involved multiple victims aged between seven and 13, and were committed over several years. McKerrow, a married man and former Sellafield worker, was found guilty of 11 offenses and was ordered to serve at least four years, though he served seven and a half. His sentence included a ban on working with children and contact with his victims for five years.

Despite the gravity of his past crimes, McKerrow was allowed to change his name in 2017, which concealed his criminal history from the local community in Carlisle. His current residence is on Central Avenue, Harraby, Carlisle, where he has managed to live undetected for some time. The revelation of his criminal past only came to light after he admitted to new crimes against a young girl, leading to his arrest and subsequent conviction in 2020.

Local authorities and politicians, including Carlisle MP John Stevenson, expressed concern over the ease with which McKerrow was able to conceal his identity and past. Stevenson remarked, “I understand why somebody who had committed a criminal offence such as theft was allowed to change his or her name and rebuild their life, provided they had served their sentence and reformed. But for people who are guilty of child sex offences the rules should be different. This needs to be looked into very carefully.”

McKerrow’s latest case is scheduled for sentencing on February 10, 2020, where he faces the possibility of a lengthy prison term. The court has imposed conditions on his bail, including residence at his current address and no contact with his victim, as part of ongoing efforts to protect the community from this dangerous individual.