Marc Cheeney

Marc Cheeney, a 22-year-old resident of Toppesfield Road in Great Yeldham, Essex, was sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court on 12 November 2025 following a five-day trial the previous month. He had denied the charge of rape but was found guilty by the jury, having previously pleaded guilty to one count of coercive and controlling behaviour. The offences came to light after the victim reported them to Essex Police in August 2022, prompting a detailed investigation.

Cheeney was arrested in November 2022, though formal charges were not brought until November 2023. During police interviews, he admitted to treating the victim poorly but denied the rape allegation. The investigating officer, Detective Constable George Lakey, described the case as complex due to the delay in reporting, which occurred months after the incidents. Despite this, the police pursued a sensitive and thorough inquiry, leading to Cheeney's conviction.

The court imposed a five-year custodial sentence on Cheeney for the rape, alongside a 10-year restraining order to protect the victim. He was also placed on the sex offenders' register indefinitely. The survivor expressed profound relief post-sentencing, stating, 'Now that he has been convicted and sentenced for what he did to me I feel such a relief and see a fresh beginning is in front of me. I did it for myself, but I also did it for all women. I don’t want anyone else to go through what I did.' She credited the kindness of the initial reporting officer for giving her the confidence to come forward.

Detective Constable Lakey paid tribute to the survivor's courage, noting, 'Coming forward to report such traumatic experiences takes immense strength, and we recognise how difficult that decision can be... Violence against women and girls will never be tolerated in Essex, and we remain committed to bringing perpetrators to justice and supporting survivors every step of the way.' This case underscores Essex Police's commitment to addressing violence against women and girls, with the force launching the investigation in August 2022 and securing justice after persistent efforts.