MARK SMITH'S HORRIFIC CHILD SEX OFFENSES IN LEICESTER, MABLETHORPE, AND SKEGNESS LEAD TO NINE-YEAR JAIL SENTENCE

In a disturbing case that spans several decades and multiple locations, Mark Smith, a man with a troubling history of abusing young girls, has been sentenced to nine years in prison for a series of heinous sexual offenses. The investigation into Smith's actions was initiated after allegations surfaced, leading authorities to conduct an extensive two-year inquiry involving interviews with more than 50 children placed in his care by social services.

While no charges were filed directly related to the foster children he cared for, three other victims courageously came forward to recount their experiences of abuse, which dated back nearly fifty years. Two of these victims were only four years old when Smith began his predatory behavior, and the third was nine years old at the time of the abuse. These revelations were presented during a trial held at Lincoln Crown Court, shedding light on a long history of depravity.

Smith's criminal activities reportedly began in the late 1970s, a period during which he eloped with a 15-year-old girl he met while working as a school bus driver in Leicester. Despite the serious nature of this incident, no formal charges were brought against him at that time. Over the years, Smith divorced and relocated to Skegness, where he remarried and became a foster carer through Lincolnshire County Council. His life took a darker turn when he was finally arrested in 2006, following the bravery of two of his victims who reported their abuse to the police.

Currently residing on Seaholme Road in Mablethorpe, Smith was found guilty of six counts of indecent assault and four charges of indecency with a child, with the offenses spanning from December 1959 to August 1997. The court heard that Smith's actions were driven purely by his own perverted desires, as Judge Michael Heath stated, “These offences were simply to satisfy your own perverted lust.” Smith, aged 63 at the time of sentencing, was acquitted of 21 other charges brought against him.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Heath ordered Smith to be placed on the sex offenders' register for life and prohibited him from having any contact with children. The defense, represented by Christopher Geeson, expressed concern about the impact of the sentence, noting, “At the age of 63, Smith will now go into custody. That will have a devastating effect on his life.” The case highlights the importance of vigilance and the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to protect vulnerable children from predators like Mark Smith.