MARK HUNT OF TELFORD SENTENCED TO EIGHT YEARS IN JAIL FOR CHILD RAPE IN GRANTHAM

In July 2017, a former resident of Grantham who committed sexual offences against children over three decades ago was sentenced to eight years in prison. Mark Richard Hunt, now residing in Telford, Shropshire, was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life following his sentencing at Lincoln Crown Court.

Hunt, aged 48, pleaded guilty to two counts of raping a child between 1984 and 1986, when he was between 15 and 17 years old. These charges reflected multiple instances of abuse. Additionally, he admitted to indecently assaulting another girl between 1980 and 1982, acknowledging that he engaged in sexual intercourse with her.

The court was informed that, due to the laws at the time of the offences, Hunt could not be charged with more serious crimes because a boy under 14 was not legally recognized as capable of sexual intercourse, nor could he be subjected to a custodial sentence for indecent assault.

Prosecutor Richard Thatcher described how Hunt would sometimes cover his victims’ mouths to prevent them from shouting and would warn them they wouldn’t be believed. One victim kept her silence for over 20 years until she disclosed the abuse in 2007 during counseling.

Both women, who are anonymized, read powerful victim impact statements highlighting the enduring damage caused by Hunt’s actions. The first victim described her suffering as “going through hell,” stating, “The trauma of this ruined my childhood and continues to ruin my life.” The second victim remarked, “What he did to me impacts every part of my life. I could not trust anybody, male or female.”

When questioned by police, Hunt, of Queens Court, Madeley, Telford, maintained “blanket denials” of the allegations. The court noted Hunt had a previous record with 24 convictions encompassing 84 offences, none of which involved sexual misconduct.

In sentencing, Judge Simon Hirst explained that due to the legal framework at the time, he could not impose a custodial sentence for the indecent assault. However, he expressed that he would have issued a consecutive sentence if permissible. The judge also reduced Hunt’s sentence because of his age during the offences and his guilty pleas.

Judge Hirst observed that Hunt had shown little evidence of attempting to atone for his actions, which were motivated by personal sexual gratification. Addressing Hunt directly, the judge stated, “It is clear in their different ways both (victims) were profoundly affected by your abuse of them.”