MARK MAKER FROM BARNSTAPLE SENTENCED TO SIX YEARS FOR REPEATEDLY RAPING YOUNG BOY IN NORTH DEVON

In a harrowing case that has shocked the community of Barnstaple and the wider North Devon area, an 18-year-old man named Mark Maker has been sentenced to six years in a youth offenders' institution after being found guilty of multiple sexual offenses involving a young boy.

The incident, which took place in Barnstaple, involved Maker repeatedly raping and molesting a boy who was under the age of 10. The case was brought before Exeter Crown Court, where Judge John Neligan delivered the sentence after Maker pleaded guilty to four counts of rape and two charges of sexual activity with a child during an earlier hearing.

During the sentencing on April 28, the judge detailed the severity of Maker’s actions, including a disturbing incident where Maker reportedly covered the boy’s mouth to prevent him from screaming. Judge Neligan remarked, “On one occasion, you did put your hand over his mouth to stop the boy screaming. You attempted in a clumsy and rather overt way to blame him. That is counterbalanced by your guilty plea.”

The prosecution, led by Jonathan Barnes, explained that police were alerted to the abuse after the young victim confided in an adult. The adult observed that the boy appeared agitated and had made concerning comments about sexual matters, which prompted further investigation. The boy revealed to the police that Maker had expressed love for him and claimed they were friends, which added to the distressing details of the case.

In court, Maker’s defense lawyer, Richard Crabb, highlighted that his client had no prior criminal record and had admitted guilt early in the process. Crabb also mentioned that Maker felt isolated and had been bullied at school, suggesting that these factors might have contributed to his behavior. The lawyer emphasized that Maker was willing to participate in a sexual offenders’ treatment program and was aware of the potential for a lengthy custodial sentence.

Judge Neligan took into account Maker’s young age and his early guilty plea when passing sentence. The judge described the case as “sad,” noting that Maker was characterized as a loner who sought gratification through his actions. As part of his sentence, Maker is required to register on the Sexual Offenders Register and is subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO). The conditions of the SOPO prohibit him from approaching or having contact with any child under 16, whether in public or private, unless accompanied by an adult over 18 who has parental responsibility and is aware of his offenses.

Furthermore, Maker will serve half of his six-year sentence before being eligible for release on license, meaning he will be under supervision and subject to conditions during his post-release period. The case has left a lasting impact on the community of Barnstaple and highlights the importance of vigilance and safeguarding vulnerable children from such heinous crimes.