MARK WRIGHT FROM PLYMOUTH JAILED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE AND DRIVING TEENAGE GIRL TO SUICIDE BID
In a case that has shocked the community of Plymouth, Mark Wright, a 57-year-old man from Slatelands Close, Plympton, has been sentenced to seven years in prison after being convicted of serious sexual offenses against a teenage girl.The court heard that Wright committed two separate acts of indecent assault against the girl, with the first incident occurring in February 1996 and the second in September 1997, spanning a period of over a year and a half.
During the trial at Plymouth Crown Court, the jury found Wright guilty after a five-day hearing, despite his denial of the charges.
The presiding judge, Recorder Phillip Mott, delivered a stern judgment, emphasizing the manipulative and exploitative nature of Wright’s actions.
He pointed out that Wright had shown a blatant disregard for the victim’s well-being, notably by dismissing the first incident with laughter, which made it exceedingly difficult for the girl to come forward and report the abuse at the time.
Recorder Mott highlighted that Wright’s conduct involved grooming behaviors, including targeting the girl during a period when she was particularly trusting.
The court detailed how Wright had encouraged her to play strip poker, during which she was only wearing her top and skirt, with no underwear, while Wright himself was only in his boxer shorts.
The judge explained that Wright then persuaded her to get into bed with him, leading to a more serious sexual assault.
The victim, who was a minor at the time, must have been terrified, and her distress was compounded when Wright insultingly offered her £5 afterward, an act that the court described as insulting and dismissive of her trauma.
The court also heard from the girl’s sister, who testified about the profound changes in her sibling following the assaults.
It was revealed that the victim’s psychological health was severely impacted, with her attempting to take her own life on multiple occasions.
Specifically, in February 1999, she overdosed on medication and was subsequently seen by a psychiatrist.
The court acknowledged that these assaults had a lasting and devastating effect on her mental health, affecting her ability to form relationships despite her having a successful career.
Judge Mott noted that under current legislation, the second sexual assault could attract a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, a significant increase from the ten-year maximum that was in place before 2003.
It was also revealed that Wright had a prior conviction for a sexual offence dating back to 1984, indicating a troubling pattern of behavior.
Police and support organizations praised the bravery of the victim for coming forward nearly 20 years after the incidents, recognizing her courage in seeking justice despite the long delay.
Wright’s actions and the subsequent conviction serve as a stark reminder of the importance of addressing sexual abuse and supporting victims in coming forward, regardless of the passage of time.
