MARK NORTH FROM SOUTHAMPTON JAILED FOR GROOMING TEENAGE GIRL IN CAMBRIDGE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Southampton and beyond, Mark North, a 19-year-old man from Southampton, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison after engaging in inappropriate and illegal sexual activities with a teenage girl he met through the social networking site Bebo. The incident unfolded after North traveled from Southampton to Cambridge, where he had arranged to meet the girl he had been communicating with online for approximately six months.

According to court reports, North had established contact with the girl, who was only 14 years old at the time, through Bebo, a popular social media platform. The court was informed that the two shared common interests, particularly in music and clothing, which facilitated their online connection. Despite knowing her age, North continued to communicate with her, which ultimately led to the tragic events.

On the day of the incident, North visited the girl’s home in Cambridge. After some initial contact, he persuaded her to accompany him to a nearby park. It was there that he engaged in sexual touching, and the girl, overwhelmed and distressed, performed a sexual act on him. The situation escalated to the point where the girl experienced a panic attack, passed out, and was visibly distressed. North, recognizing the severity of the situation, called the police to report what had transpired.

During the court proceedings at Cambridge Crown Court, North admitted to one count of sexual activity with a child. As part of his sentence, he was placed on the sex offenders’ register for ten years. However, he denied two additional charges—one of sexual activity with a child and another of meeting a child after sexual grooming. These charges were subsequently dropped, but the primary conviction remains a serious reminder of the dangers posed by online grooming and exploitation.

The court heard that North had been in contact with the victim for about six months, during which they exchanged messages and shared interests. The court also noted that North was aware of her young age but continued to pursue the relationship, which led to the criminal acts.

The aftermath of the incident has had a profound impact on the girl and her family. She is currently undergoing counseling to help her cope with the trauma and to rebuild her confidence. Her mother expressed her anguish, stating that the entire ordeal had nearly caused the breakdown of her marriage. She described the experience as a nightmare, saying, “He’s stolen my daughter’s childhood. It’s your worst nightmare. I can’t describe the pain, it’s awful.”

She further revealed her emotional detachment from North, stating, “I don’t feel anything about him. I have been to every hearing, my husband only attended the sentence because he couldn’t bear to look at him. I just felt numb. It was like I was in the room, but not. At least now I feel relief.”