MARK BUTTERWORTH FROM BARNSLEY SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEXUAL OFFENCES IN SHEFFIELD CROWN COURT
| Red Rose Database
Barnsley Rapist
In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Barnsley, Mark Butterworth, aged 28 and formerly residing on Lilac Crescent in Hoyland, has been convicted of a series of heinous child sexual offences. The conviction follows a detailed trial at Sheffield Crown Court, where Butterworth was found guilty of multiple charges related to the abuse of two young victims, who were between the ages of 9 and 12 at the time of the offences.
According to court proceedings, the abuse spanned over an eight-year period, from 2007 to 2015. During this time, Butterworth engaged in repeated acts of sexual misconduct against the victims, employing a disturbing tactic of bribery. He would entice the children to perform sexual acts on him by offering them privileges such as additional time to play on his PlayStation console, a method that underscores the manipulative and predatory nature of his crimes.
The court heard detailed accounts of the offences, which included a total of 19 charges. These ranged from causing a child to watch a sexual act, to engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, and inciting children to participate in sexual acts. Butterworth was also convicted of more severe crimes, including sexual assault of a child under 13, multiple counts of rape of a child under 13, and causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity. Additionally, he was found guilty of possessing indecent images of children and making an indecent image himself.
Following a seven-day trial, the jury at Sheffield Crown Court delivered a guilty verdict on all counts. The judge subsequently sentenced Butterworth to a total of 12 years and 6 months in prison. However, he will be required to serve a minimum of nine years before being eligible for parole or release. The court also imposed a lifetime sexual harm prevention order, which restricts his activities and contact to prevent further harm.
Furthermore, Butterworth has been mandated to register as a sex offender for life, a measure designed to monitor and manage his conduct post-release. The case has sent a clear message about the seriousness with which the justice system treats crimes of this nature, especially those involving vulnerable children in the Barnsley area.
According to court proceedings, the abuse spanned over an eight-year period, from 2007 to 2015. During this time, Butterworth engaged in repeated acts of sexual misconduct against the victims, employing a disturbing tactic of bribery. He would entice the children to perform sexual acts on him by offering them privileges such as additional time to play on his PlayStation console, a method that underscores the manipulative and predatory nature of his crimes.
The court heard detailed accounts of the offences, which included a total of 19 charges. These ranged from causing a child to watch a sexual act, to engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child, and inciting children to participate in sexual acts. Butterworth was also convicted of more severe crimes, including sexual assault of a child under 13, multiple counts of rape of a child under 13, and causing a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity. Additionally, he was found guilty of possessing indecent images of children and making an indecent image himself.
Following a seven-day trial, the jury at Sheffield Crown Court delivered a guilty verdict on all counts. The judge subsequently sentenced Butterworth to a total of 12 years and 6 months in prison. However, he will be required to serve a minimum of nine years before being eligible for parole or release. The court also imposed a lifetime sexual harm prevention order, which restricts his activities and contact to prevent further harm.
Furthermore, Butterworth has been mandated to register as a sex offender for life, a measure designed to monitor and manage his conduct post-release. The case has sent a clear message about the seriousness with which the justice system treats crimes of this nature, especially those involving vulnerable children in the Barnsley area.