MARK SPALDING, FORMER BRIGHTON BUS DRIVER, JAILED FOR SEX OFFENCES IN BRIGHTON
In August 2017, a former bus driver from Brighton, Mark Spalding, was sentenced to prison for multiple sexual offences committed while he was employed as a driver.Spalding, of Thakeham, West Sussex, pleaded guilty to eight counts of sexual misconduct, which included sexually assaulting girls and women during his shifts.
Among his victims were two girls aged 13 and 14.
Police reports indicated that some of his victims were foreign students who traveled on buses he operated in 2015.
Spalding was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court to four years' imprisonment and was ordered to serve an additional five years on licence.
Brighton and Hove Buses issued an apology, describing the incidents as "utterly vile," and stated that Spalding resigned during an investigation for gross misconduct before being reported to the police.
Detective Constable Elaine Welsh characterized Spalding as "a predatory sex offender who took advantage of his access to young women and vulnerable girls." She praised the victims, especially the girls, for their "immense courage" in coming forward.
In July 2017, prior to his sentencing, Spalding, then 29, was described at Lewes Crown Court as having admitted to sexual assaults on two foreign students and grooming and molesting two Brighton schoolgirls over a period of 19 months while employed by Brighton and Hove Buses.
During the hearing, Her Honour Shani Barnes warned Spalding that he could face prison when the sentence was passed but granted him bail because he cared for his mother, who has dementia.
A family member of one victim expressed emotional distress, stating, "It broke me when I was told where he touched her.
I left the room; it was all I could take.
She was 14.
I felt like I’d failed to defend my family." The family member described Spalding as having a "Jekyll and Hyde" personality, saying, "He shows you one side of himself that he wants you to see, and you don’t see the other side.
He’s evil." Both the victim’s family and Spalding’s own wife expressed distress over the decision to grant bail, with his wife adding, "I felt physically sick when I heard that." Spalding’s crimes were carried out while his bus was idling at various stops around Brighton, including Devil’s Dyke, Lewes Road, and Falmer.
Initially, he maintained his innocence, but last week he changed his plea to guilty.
His trial, scheduled for later that month, involved charges of sexual activity with children aged 13 to 15 and two counts of sexual assault.
Prosecutor Kris Berlevy detailed the importance of presenting a comprehensive evidence file, including 50 pages of Facebook and text messages exchanged with victims, prior to sentencing.
Her Honour Shani Barnes emphasized the severity of the offences, stating, "These are very serious offences which took place over a period of two years," and informed Spalding that he could expect a custodial sentence.
Despite this, he remains free on bail conditions that include not using public transportation, avoiding contact with victims and their families, and refraining from any deliberate contact with individuals under 18.
