Rapist who escaped justice for 40 years dies in prison months after being sent down
25.09.2023 - 05:55
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A convicted rapist who escaped justice for 40 years has died in prison. John Merritt sexually abused the two children in the 1970s when he was known as Walter Merritt, but escaped punishment for four decades, LancsLive reports.
Merritt became a married dad-of-four while while his victims lived with the trauma of his evil acts. He was diagnosed with cancer in a Lancashire prison and died two months later.
The attacks happened in the 1970s and while one victim told his sister about it 30 years ago, the police were not informed until a letter was sent in 2014. But, no further action was taken then and the victim, named only as Boy A, issued a formal complaint two years later.
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When interviewed, Boy A told police he believed it happened to others and mentioned Boy B, who was traced by officers and interviewed in 2018. Boy B wasn't told who provided his name, but both men "independently provided accounts which bore a number of similarities".
Liverpool Crown Court heard that Merritt offered chocolate to Boy A, before inviting him into his house and raping him in a bathroom and a nearby field. He also raped Boy B in the bathroom, pouncing after his mum invited the disadvantaged little boy in for tea and cake.
Boy B described how the abuse "destroyed" his life and even landed him in jail, after he stole to buy drugs to block out the horror. Merritt formerly of Halewood, Merseyside, continued to deny the charges after being found guilty at trial. The court heard his other convictions included wounding, when he threw a bike cog at a