MARK WARBURTON FROM RUTLAND SENTENCED FOR GROOMING TEENAGER AND INAPPROPRIATE TOUCHING IN LEICESTER

In October 2018, a disturbing case emerged involving Mark Warburton, a 48-year-old man from Cottesmore in Rutland, who was found guilty of serious sexual misconduct involving two teenage girls. Warburton appeared before Leicester Crown Court via a video link from prison, where he faced charges related to grooming and inappropriate physical contact with minors.

The allegations spanned over a decade, with one incident dating back to 2005 and the other occurring between October and November 2016. The court heard detailed victim impact statements that shed light on the emotional and psychological toll inflicted by Warburton's actions.

Prosecutor Simon Ash read out the statements, revealing that Warburton had engaged in manipulative and predatory behavior. The first victim, a girl who was only 14 at the time, recounted how Warburton had repeatedly texted her, asking for 'hugs and kisses' and referring to her as 'baby girl.' The victim described a particularly distressing incident where Warburton visited her home and kissed her on the mouth as he was leaving. Following this, Warburton sent her a message expressing his desire for 'more next time,' which deeply affected her.

The victim expressed feelings of betrayal and confusion, stating, "What he did to me was just pure evil. Mark violated my trust, and I thought he was a nice guy, but now I am wondering why this happened to me. I always think about what he did to me, and I don't trust people like I used to."

The second victim's statement detailed multiple instances of inappropriate touching by Warburton. She expressed regret for allowing the abuse to continue for so long, feeling foolish and disgusted by his actions. She said, "If someone was to ask me about what Mark did to me, I feel stupid for letting it go on for so long. I hate him, and it disgusts me that he thought it was alright to do that to me."

Judge Ebrahim Mooncey addressed Warburton directly, condemning his manipulative and self-centered behavior. The judge emphasized the lasting impact on the victims, stating, "You are an individual that is manipulative and self-centred, and it took a long time to accept what you had done was wrong. Both victims in this case have suffered and still suffer from what you have done to them. This behavior you have displayed is outrageous."

In addition to a prison sentence, Warburton was ordered to be placed on the sex offenders register for the next ten years. The mother of one of the victims expressed relief and a sense of closure, saying, "Justice has been done. We are satisfied that he has got a custodial sentence. We have closure and can now move on with our lives."

Warburton was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for the inappropriate touching of a teenager and for grooming another girl through text messages and kissing her on the mouth, marking a significant legal victory for the victims and their families.