MARK BADDELEY KIDNAPS TEENAGE GIRL AT FESTIVAL PARK IN SHELTON AND STOKE

In April 2019, a disturbing incident unfolded involving 31-year-old Mark Baddeley, who was ultimately sentenced to a total of eleven years in prison for a series of heinous crimes committed in the areas of Shelton and Stoke. The case drew significant attention after Baddeley's attempt to lure and assault a 14-year-old girl was thwarted, leading to his arrest and subsequent conviction.

Baddeley's criminal actions began with his creation of a fake online persona. Under the alias 'Jacob,' a fabricated 17-year-old, he sought to establish contact with teenage girls through social media. His primary target was the young girl, whom he befriended online. The two agreed to meet in person at Festival Park, a popular public area in Stoke, on a Sunday afternoon. The meeting was scheduled for 1:30 pm on March 24.

According to court proceedings, the girl waited at the designated location, unaware of Baddeley's intentions. Prosecutor Benjamin Lawrence described how Baddeley approached her, walking back and forth multiple times, giving her unsettling looks that she later described as 'a bit tapped' or 'gone in the head.' As she grew increasingly uneasy, she decided to leave and began walking back toward Morrisons, a nearby supermarket. However, she received a message from 'Jacob' indicating he was on his way.

It was at this moment that Baddeley's true intentions became apparent. CCTV footage captured him approaching the girl and quickly pulling a knife from his pocket. He threatened her, saying, 'If you scream or make a sound I will hurt you,' before grabbing her by the neck with a grip described as 'really tight.' The terrified teenager was overwhelmed with fear, crying and pleading for her safety. She begged him not to hurt her, to which he responded, 'I am not going to hurt you,' and initially claimed he would not rape her.

Despite his words, Baddeley's intentions remained malicious. He inquired if she was a virgin, to which she confirmed she was. She then pleaded to be released, but he refused, making her swear she would not tell anyone about the incident. After forcing her to make this promise, he finally let her go, and she ran away from the scene in distress.

Two days later, on March 26, Baddeley turned himself in at Burslem Police Station. During police interviews, he admitted to having an interest in girls aged 13 to 16, and he disclosed suffering from depression, anxiety, and feelings of loneliness. The victim later provided a statement, expressing how the ordeal had profoundly affected her life, leaving her feeling ashamed and violated.

In court, Baddeley pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including meeting a child following sexual grooming, possessing a knife in public, kidnapping, and attempting to commit a sexual offence. The judge, David Fletcher, sentenced him to six years in prison, with an additional five years on licence, totaling eleven years of incarceration. Furthermore, Baddeley was subjected to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and was placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.

Judge Fletcher emphasized the severity of the crime, noting the isolated setting of dense woodland at Festival Park and the clear intent to sexually assault the girl. He described Baddeley's actions as terrifying and highlighted the danger posed by such predatory behavior in public spaces like Shelton and Stoke.