GAVIN MACKEN JAILED FOR SEX OFFENCES AGAINST 13-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN LEICESTER

Gavin Macken, a man from Leicester, has been sentenced to prison for a series of disturbing sexual offences committed against a 13-year-old girl. The case was heard at Leicester Crown Court, where Macken appeared on Monday, January 27, to face the consequences of his actions. The court found him guilty of six separate sexual offences involving the young girl, following a trial that concluded in December.

During the proceedings, it was revealed that Macken had also attempted to manipulate a second girl into sending him nude photographs. When his efforts to obtain images from this second victim proved unsuccessful, he then tried to coerce the first girl into taking pictures of the second girl for his own gratification. Despite denying all charges, Macken was convicted by a jury, which found the evidence against him compelling.

In a poignant victim statement read aloud in court, the girl expressed the profound impact the abuse had on her mental health and daily life. She shared that she has been too frightened to go out alone since the incidents, describing feelings of shame and dirtiness. She stated, “It has made me feel as though I’m dirty. I struggle going out. I’m afraid of what will be around any corner. He made me feel uncomfortable in my own skin.” The girl also conveyed her distress over the delays in bringing her case to trial, which she said had worsened her emotional suffering. She admitted feeling hopeless at times, saying, “I felt like life wasn’t worth living for the longest time.”

As a victim of a sexual offence, her identity remains protected by law, and she cannot be named publicly. She also expressed feelings of shame for perceiving herself as too “weak” to defend herself against Macken’s predatory behaviour.

Gavin Macken’s legal representative, James Varley, acknowledged that there was little he could do to defend his client, as Macken continued to deny the allegations. Varley noted that Macken’s personality traits would likely make his time in prison particularly difficult, describing him as an unhappy and isolated individual. He stated, “He has known since the verdicts came in that he is going to prison today. He’s always been a rather unhappy and isolated man and this will compound that. I don’t think there’s anything I can add by way of mitigation.”

Judge William Harbage KC, presiding over the case, emphasized the severity of the trauma inflicted upon the young girl. He stated, “What’s clear is she has suffered significant trauma because of the abuse and real psychological harm.” The judge condemned Macken’s actions, describing them as “gross and vile,” and pointed out that his behaviour was driven by his own sexual gratification. Despite the jury’s verdict, Macken shook his head in denial as the judge delivered his sentence.

Judge Harbage sentenced Macken to eight years in prison, emphasizing the seriousness of his crimes. Additionally, he ordered Macken to be placed on the sex offenders register for life and imposed a sexual harm prevention order. This order restricts Macken’s access to the internet and limits any contact with children after his release, aiming to prevent further harm. The judge concluded by highlighting that Macken remains a “high risk of harm to children,” underscoring the ongoing danger posed by his actions.