MARK BULLINGHAM STRUDD SEX OFFENDER JAILED FOR RAPE OF BOY IN STRUDD
| Red Rose Database
Stroud Rapist
In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Stroud, a 48-year-old local milkman named Mark Bullingham has been sentenced to serve eight and a half years in prison for the heinous crime of raping a 10-year-old boy. The incident came to light after the young victim ran away from his home in Stroud, prompting his family to report him missing to the police.
Authorities quickly responded and, during their investigation, discovered that the boy had spent a night at Bullingham's residence while he was missing. This revelation raised immediate concerns, especially considering Bullingham's prior criminal record. It was revealed that he was already a registered sex offender, having previously been convicted of an attack on a 14-year-old girl six years earlier.
Judge William Hart presided over the case at Gloucester Crown Court and delivered a stern sentence to Bullingham, who resides at Nouncells Cross, Bisley Old Road, Stroud. The judge expressed disappointment that the sex offender treatment program Bullingham had undergone following his 2006 conviction appeared to have failed in preventing further offending.
In his remarks, Judge Hart stated, “You groomed this boy, you formed a bond of trust with him and you abused that trust.” He emphasized that the offenses spanned several weeks, during which Bullingham engaged in increasingly serious acts of sexual abuse, including taking explicit photographs of the boy. The judge also pointed out that Bullingham showed a disturbing lack of remorse and insight into the severity of his actions.
“You described your relationship with him as if you were talking about a relationship between two consenting adults,” the judge added, highlighting the perverted nature of Bullingham’s thinking. The court was told that Bullingham’s behavior was indicative of a distorted mindset, as evidenced by his police interview.
As part of his sentence, Bullingham received an extended custodial term, meaning that after serving four years, he will be eligible for parole but will remain on license for an additional nine and a half years upon release. During this period, he will be subject to recall if he breaches any conditions. Furthermore, the court imposed a lifetime sexual offences prevention order, placed him indefinitely on the sex offender register, and banned him from working with children for the rest of his life.
Prosecutor Mary Harley provided details of the case, explaining that on August 6 of this year, the boy’s grandfather reported him missing after not seeing him for two days. Police investigations led them to Bullingham’s flat, where they confirmed that the boy had stayed the previous night. The police also learned that Bullingham was subject to a sexual offender restriction order.
During police interviews, Bullingham admitted that the boy had stayed at his flat but was reticent about revealing details of what transpired between them. Defense lawyer Jane Rowley acknowledged that Bullingham had been honest and had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity. She emphasized that Bullingham had no prior attraction to boys and expressed that his actions stemmed from loneliness and depression following a breakup with his female partner, with whom he has two children.
Rowley also stated that Bullingham had genuine affection for the victim but overstepped boundaries. She described his offending as a tragic consequence of his mental state, noting that despite the serious nature of his crimes, the young boy remains a positive, confident, and happy child, understanding that he was not at fault. The case has left the community of Stroud deeply shaken, raising concerns about safeguarding and the importance of monitoring known sex offenders.
Authorities quickly responded and, during their investigation, discovered that the boy had spent a night at Bullingham's residence while he was missing. This revelation raised immediate concerns, especially considering Bullingham's prior criminal record. It was revealed that he was already a registered sex offender, having previously been convicted of an attack on a 14-year-old girl six years earlier.
Judge William Hart presided over the case at Gloucester Crown Court and delivered a stern sentence to Bullingham, who resides at Nouncells Cross, Bisley Old Road, Stroud. The judge expressed disappointment that the sex offender treatment program Bullingham had undergone following his 2006 conviction appeared to have failed in preventing further offending.
In his remarks, Judge Hart stated, “You groomed this boy, you formed a bond of trust with him and you abused that trust.” He emphasized that the offenses spanned several weeks, during which Bullingham engaged in increasingly serious acts of sexual abuse, including taking explicit photographs of the boy. The judge also pointed out that Bullingham showed a disturbing lack of remorse and insight into the severity of his actions.
“You described your relationship with him as if you were talking about a relationship between two consenting adults,” the judge added, highlighting the perverted nature of Bullingham’s thinking. The court was told that Bullingham’s behavior was indicative of a distorted mindset, as evidenced by his police interview.
As part of his sentence, Bullingham received an extended custodial term, meaning that after serving four years, he will be eligible for parole but will remain on license for an additional nine and a half years upon release. During this period, he will be subject to recall if he breaches any conditions. Furthermore, the court imposed a lifetime sexual offences prevention order, placed him indefinitely on the sex offender register, and banned him from working with children for the rest of his life.
Prosecutor Mary Harley provided details of the case, explaining that on August 6 of this year, the boy’s grandfather reported him missing after not seeing him for two days. Police investigations led them to Bullingham’s flat, where they confirmed that the boy had stayed the previous night. The police also learned that Bullingham was subject to a sexual offender restriction order.
During police interviews, Bullingham admitted that the boy had stayed at his flat but was reticent about revealing details of what transpired between them. Defense lawyer Jane Rowley acknowledged that Bullingham had been honest and had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity. She emphasized that Bullingham had no prior attraction to boys and expressed that his actions stemmed from loneliness and depression following a breakup with his female partner, with whom he has two children.
Rowley also stated that Bullingham had genuine affection for the victim but overstepped boundaries. She described his offending as a tragic consequence of his mental state, noting that despite the serious nature of his crimes, the young boy remains a positive, confident, and happy child, understanding that he was not at fault. The case has left the community of Stroud deeply shaken, raising concerns about safeguarding and the importance of monitoring known sex offenders.