STUART MARCHMONT AND HIS SHOCKING ONLINE SEX OFFENCES IN GLASTONBURY

A man from Glastonbury, identified as Stuart Marchmont, has been sentenced to a decade behind bars after being convicted of engaging in a series of serious online sexual offences. The 38-year-old was found guilty following a trial held in February, which uncovered startling details about his predatory behavior on the internet.

Marchmont was convicted of enticing a girl, who was only 12 years old at the time, to participate in sexual activities through an online platform. This case was the result of a thorough investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies. Authorities from Avon and Somerset Police collaborated with regional units, including the South West, South East, and Tarian Regional Organised Crime Units (ROCU), to trace and identify Marchmont as being from Avon and Somerset.

During the investigation, it emerged that Marchmont was not only communicating with the victim but was also making repeated attempts to contact five other underage children. Interestingly, it was later revealed that the messages he sent were not only targeted at real children but also at undercover officers from the ROCU, who specialize in identifying and apprehending online predators seeking to exploit children.

The court proceedings, which culminated in a sentencing at Taunton Crown Court on Wednesday, April 26, resulted in a ten-year prison sentence for Marchmont. His convictions include one count of inciting a child under 13 to engage in non-penetrative sexual activity, as well as ten counts of attempting to induce or incite sexual acts with the children involved in the online chats, all of which were to children who did not actually exist.

Further into his criminal history, authorities uncovered additional offences upon his arrest in 2021. These included one count of causing non-penetrative sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl and creating indecent images of the same minor. These revelations painted a broader picture of Marchmont's disturbing criminal conduct.

In addition to the prison sentence, the court imposed an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) on Marchmont. This order is designed to monitor and restrict his behavior post-release, ensuring ongoing supervision due to the serious nature of his offences. He will also be registered on the sexual offenders' register for life.

Detective Constable Duncan Sandle, who led the investigation, emphasized the complexity and collaborative effort involved in bringing Marchmont to justice. He stated, “This was a lengthy and complex investigation, involving some brilliant collaborative work between several different policing organizations, into the actions of a persistent sexual predator. We are continually working to prevent such offending and to protect vulnerable children from predators like Marchmont. The court’s decision reflects the harm inflicted on the children he contacted.”

He further highlighted the dangers of online sexual exploitation, describing it as a horrific crime committed by offenders who often hide behind false profiles to satisfy their own sexual urges. Despite these offenders' efforts to conceal their activities, law enforcement agencies remain committed to uncovering and prosecuting them to prevent further harm.

Supporting this view, Detective Inspector David Wells from the SWROCU’s Online Investigations Team added, “Marchmont clearly posed a serious threat to children by repeatedly attempt to engage young girls in sexual activities via the internet. This case exemplifies law enforcement’s determination to pursue such offenders relentlessly. It is also crucial that parents and children take proactive steps to safeguard themselves against these threats.”