MARK PAGE SHOCKS STOCKTON AND PHILIPPINES WITH CHILD SEX OFFENCES AND 18-YEAR SENTENCE
In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Stockton and beyond, former Radio 1 DJ Mark Page has seen his prison sentence increased to a total of 18 years following his conviction for child sex offences committed in the Philippines.The 63-year-old, who once enjoyed a prominent broadcasting career and was well known as a match announcer at Middlesbrough FC for two decades, now faces the consequences of his heinous actions.
Page’s original sentence of 12 years, handed down by a judge at Teesside Crown Court in March, was deemed insufficient by the Court of Appeal.
On Friday, three appellate judges in London concluded that the initial punishment was unduly lenient and subsequently added an additional six years to his sentence.
This decision came after an application by Solicitor General Alex Chalk, emphasizing the severity of the crimes committed.
Throughout the trial, it was revealed that Page had attempted to arrange sexual encounters with children as young as 12 in the Philippines, with some of the offences occurring remotely from the UK in 2016, and others taking place during separate visits to the Philippines in 2016 and 2019.
The court heard that Page had even tried to negotiate the price for these encounters, arguing that 3,000 pesos (approximately £44) was too high for a sexual act involving a 12-year-old girl and a 13-year-old boy.
His conviction was based on four out of five counts of arranging child sex offences, with the jury acquitting him of one charge.
The evidence against him included messages and activity on his devices, which were seized during a police search warrant executed at his home in Ingleby Barwick, Stockton, in January 2020.
The investigation was prompted by concerns raised on Facebook, where messages from Page’s account were flagged to a charity, which then alerted UK law enforcement authorities.
Authorities examined his tablet, mobile phone, Skype activity, texts, bank accounts, and a computer tower.
During court proceedings, Page claimed that his devices had been hacked, although he did not mention this during police interviews and later told the jury he was in shock.
Despite his claims, the evidence was compelling enough to secure his conviction.
Page’s background included a long-standing career in broadcasting, and he was a familiar face in the Middlesbrough area.
His role as a match announcer at Middlesbrough FC spanned 20 years, and he was also involved in establishing a successful radio station for the British Army.
His reputation was further tarnished by the nature of his crimes, which involved exploiting vulnerable children in impoverished circumstances in the Philippines.
During the trial, prosecutor Jo Kidd drew stark comparisons between Page and other notorious figures involved in child abuse scandals, such as Jim’ll Fix It’s Jimmy Savile.
She highlighted the contrast between the public personas of these individuals and the dark reality of their actions, emphasizing that even those who appear respectable can harbor depraved secrets.
Kidd remarked, “Some of you may be old enough to remember Jim’ll Fix It.
You will remember watching It’s a Knockout.
You will remember revelling in the size of Gary Glitter’s shoes.
They were people who were spoken highly of, even people who were knighted by the Queen.” She further warned that public figures who engage in charity work and maintain a positive image are not immune to hidden depravity, underscoring the importance of vigilance and justice in such cases.
The case has cast a long shadow over Stockton and the wider community, highlighting the ongoing battle against child exploitation and abuse.
