Victim bravely contacted police following sexual assault in Christchurch
A victim of a sexual assault in Christchurch bravely reported what happened, which led to the immediate arrest of the offender.
Michael John Parcell, aged 63 and of Winchester, pleaded guilty to five counts of sexual assault on a male at Bournemouth Crown Court.
The offences occurred in the early hours of Monday 21 August 2023 at a hotel in Somerford Road.
Parcell had travelled to the area with the victim – a teenage boy – and they were staying overnight at the hotel. During the night, the victim was woken up by Parcell, who sexually assaulted him.
The victim was able to bravely run out of the hotel and contact the police straight away. Officers swiftly attended the area and located Parcell nearby and arrested him.
The defendant’s mobile phone was seized and following an examination, it was found to show images and videos of the sexual assaults.
Parcell was sentenced at the same court on Friday 5 September 2025 to five years in prison.
Detective Constable Eszter Sabik, of BCP CID, said: “Parcell had pre-planned the assault and engineered the circumstances to be able to take advantage of his young victim, who was asleep, away from home, and in the care of a person he trusted – something which is completely abhorrent and unacceptable. I am pleased that he is now behind bars facing justice for his behaviour.
“This was an extremely distressing incident for the victim and we have continued to provide support to him.
“I would like to commend his bravery in coming forward and reporting what happened straight away – we will always listen and take your report seriously.”
If you have been a victim of a sexual offence, and you want to report directly to the police, please call 101 and ask to be put in contact with a specially-trained police officer. Always dial 999 in an emergency. Alternatively, you can contact The Shores Sexual Assault Referral Centre on 0800 970 9954.
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