Powys paedophile jailed again for failing to disclose previous child sex offences

POWYS PAEDOPHILE JAILED AGAIN FOR FAILING TO DISCLOSE PREVIOUS CHILD SEX OFFENCES

A POWYS paedophile previously imprisoned for child sex offences, has been sentenced again.

Mark Colling, aged 52, failed to reveal to another parent that he had been jailed in 2013 for sex crimes involving three young girls, including rape.

During that sentence, he was subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for life, which prohibited him from spending time with girls under 16 unless a guardian was aware of his past.

Mold Crown Court heard on July 8 that Colling, previously of Llandrindod Wells and most recently residing in Llanymynech, failed to disclose his criminal history to a parent who stated they would not have allowed their children to spend time with him had they known.

The other person was described as being 'in complete shock' upon discovering his past.

Colling was arrested in October last year for breaching the SHPO, after having committed multiple breaches.

Prosecutor Oliver King explained that Colling was ordered not to associate or communicate with females under 16 unless supervised by an adult who knew of his convictions.

His defense, represented by Philip Clemo, stated that Colling had immediately admitted guilt and when arrested in October 2024, was recalled to prison.

Colling had been engaging well in prison, completing courses and maintaining good behavior.

Despite this, Judge Rhys Rowlands noted that such cases often see offenders failing to change, citing that Colling had failed to fully disclose his serious past convictions.

The judge sentenced Colling to 14 months in prison, emphasizing that reoffending is a concern.

He added that Colling's efforts in prison do not outweigh his previous offences and failure to disclose his past.

The judge concluded, 'In these sorts of cases it is rare that a leopard ever changes its spots.'