MARK RICHARDS OF BODMIN SENTENCED FOR GROOMING, ABDUCTION AND SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING 15-YEAR-OLD GIRL
In 2017, Mark Richards, a 34-year-old man from Bodmin residing on St Nicholas Street, was sentenced after admitting to grooming, abducting, and engaging in sexual activities with a vulnerable 15-year-old girl.Richards appeared at Truro Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to having full sexual relations with the girl and unlawfully removing her from her mother’s care.
During the proceedings, prosecutor Jason Beal stated that the girl’s mother grew increasingly suspicious of Richards’ relationship with her daughter.
Despite her mother’s concerns, the girl continued to meet Richards secretly.
When police got involved after the girl went missing, they found her with Richards.
He was then issued a Child Abduction Notice, which he dismissed as “a load of crap.” Further police investigation in April 2016 revealed that Richards and the girl had been traveling from Bude to see each other.
Officers located them together, which was a breach of the previous notice.
Richards was ultimately sentenced to 52 months in prison for his offenses.
