CFYN MARKWICK FROM CHICHESTER JAILED FOR GROOMING AND SEXUAL ABUSE OF TEENAGE GIRL IN WEST SUSSEX

In December 2005, a disturbing case of grooming and sexual misconduct involving a teacher from Chichester, West Sussex, culminated in a prison sentence that highlights the serious breach of trust and the importance of safeguarding minors. Cfyn Markwick, aged 46, was convicted of engaging in inappropriate and illegal conduct with a 15-year-old girl, whom he had groomed over a period of time, leading to his imprisonment for two years.

The court proceedings revealed that Markwick, a science teacher at a local school, had taken the girl to various upscale hotels, including a notable visit to Bournemouth in April 2002. During this trip, he engaged in sexual activity with her, an act that formed part of the charges he faced. Although he was convicted of two counts of abusing his position of trust by having sex with the minor, he was acquitted of five other similar charges, including a case where he was alleged to have slept with her in a luxurious suite at the Ritz Hotel in London, which cost £400 per night.

The relationship between Markwick and the girl reportedly began after she was selected from a school talent show, where she was identified as a potential actress. Markwick persuaded her to participate in an amateur film project he was producing, involving her dressing up in various costumes such as a nun, nurse, and schoolgirl. This manipulation was part of the grooming process that ultimately led to their sexual encounters.

Judge John Sessions, presiding over the case at Chichester Crown Court, described Markwick as “calculating and deceitful,” emphasizing the breach of moral and professional boundaries. The judge underscored the fundamental principle that teachers must not exploit their students sexually, a violation that the court found particularly egregious in this case.

The court also heard that Markwick, a father of two, developed an attraction to the girl after seeing her perform in the talent show. Their relationship extended over a year, beginning in March 2002, and was characterized by a series of inappropriate interactions. The girl eventually reported the relationship to the police after discovering that Markwick had begun another affair with an 18-year-old pupil, who is now his fiancée.

During the trial, the defendant’s lawyer, Richard Cherrill, suggested that the girl had made a bet with a friend that she would be the “first to sleep with a teacher,” implying that her motivations might have been influenced by this wager. However, Judge Sessions dismissed this claim, stating that the girl’s bet was not made seriously and that the law’s purpose is to protect young girls from their own vulnerabilities.

As part of his sentence, Markwick was banned for life from working with children and was ordered to register as a sex offender. He was also told that he would serve only half of his two-year sentence in custody. The court’s verdict reflects the seriousness with which such breaches of trust are regarded, especially when committed by individuals in positions of authority and responsibility.