SAMUEL MARRIOTT FROM WIRRAL SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS FOR RAPE OF TEEN VICTIMS ON FACEBOOK

In a significant case that has shocked the Wirral community, Samuel Marriott, a 22-year-old man from Wirral, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after being convicted of heinous crimes involving two vulnerable teenage girls. The crimes came to light after Marriott-Lovett was found guilty of two counts of rape and one charge of grooming, following a trial at Liverpool Crown Court. Despite the conviction, Marriott-Lovett continues to deny the allegations, maintaining his innocence throughout the proceedings.

Prosecutor Robert Dudley detailed the disturbing circumstances of the offenses. The first victim, a girl aged 16, was raped by Marriott-Lovett when she was described as vulnerable and impressionable. The second victim, a young girl just 14 years old, was targeted after a disagreement with her boyfriend. Marriott-Lovett lured her to his flat, inviting her over after the argument. Although two of his friends were present in the flat, Marriott-Lovett took the girl into his bedroom and committed the assault, despite her explicitly stating that she did not want a sexual relationship with him.

During the court proceedings, the impact on the victims and their families was vividly conveyed. The mother of the second girl provided an emotional impact statement, describing her daughter's transformation since the assault. Once a bubbly, outgoing, and cuddly individual, the girl now exhibits signs of trauma, including discomfort when others invade her personal space, a lack of trust in people, and a constant state of high alert. Her mother expressed heartbreak over her daughter's inability to sit her GCSE exams as scheduled, revealing that she would now have to wait until the following year to take them. Despite the pain caused, the mother also expressed forgiveness towards Marriott-Lovett, acknowledging his mental state but emphasizing that their lives would not be defined by his actions.

It was also revealed that Marriott-Lovett faced accusations of raping another 14-year-old girl in 2010; however, he was acquitted of that particular charge. The court heard that Marriott-Lovett frequently used Facebook as his primary means of contact, which the judge, Judge Robert Trevor-Jones, identified as a concerning pattern. The judge described Facebook as Marriott-Lovett’s preferred channel for befriending and contacting younger females, emphasizing the danger he posed. The judge also highlighted the difficulties faced by the victims, who had to relive their ordeals by giving evidence in court, often branded as liars due to Marriott-Lovett’s denials.

As part of his sentence, Marriott-Lovett was ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life. Additionally, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order was imposed, restricting his internet use and prohibiting him from being unsupervised with individuals under the age of 18. Marriott-Lovett, who has no fixed address, was also given a stark warning about the dangers he poses to society and the importance of monitoring his activities to prevent further harm.