Child Rapist Mark Bolton Sentenced to 22 Years
Mark Bolton, 55, from New Malden, was handed a hefty 22-year prison sentence at Kingston Crown Court on Friday, 5 November. Bolton was convicted back in September of multiple horrific sex offences against two young girls under 13.
Catalogue of Horrific Crimes
Bolton, who also went by Dermot Bolton, was found guilty 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
- One count of sexual activity with a child
- Two counts of causing a child to engage in or watch sexual activity
- One count of taking indecent photographs of a child
- One count of voyeurism
Police Act After School Alert
The vile abuse spanned nine years. Police launched an urgent investigation after one victim confided in a school staff member. The school alerted the child’s mother, who immediately reported it to police on 1 December 2020. Bolton was arrested the same day by Met officers.
Detective Praises Victims’ Bravery
“The details of this case were some of the most distressing I have heard in six years investigating child abuse,” said Detective Constable Katy Waddington, who led the investigation.
“Mark Bolton groomed the children and kept them silent, using hidden cameras and his IT skills to fuel his sick obsession while hiding behind a respectable family man image.
I continue to be in awe of victims who come forward to face their abusers, especially when the abuser was trusted. Their bravery and dignity are beyond words.”
“I hope the children and their relatives find some peace, and Bolton’s lengthy prison sentence offers them reassurance as they rebuild their lives.”
Alongside his prison term, Bolton was slapped with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and put on the Sex Offenders Register for life.
