MARK YOUNG OF BLYTH SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF DISABLED GIRL IN NEWCASTLE

In August 2017, Mark Douglas Young, a 31-year-old from Blyth, Northumberland, was sentenced after being convicted of sexually abusing a young girl. Young appeared at Newcastle Crown Court, where he initially pleaded not guilty to multiple sexual offences against a child. After a three-day trial, the jury found him guilty of three counts of sexual assault with penetration on a girl under 13, one count of sexual assault on a girl under 13, and one count of intentionally causing a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

The court was informed that Young, who was employed at Nissan in Sunderland, committed these acts over the course of two days, during which he sexually abused an 11-year-old girl. The victim, who has cerebral palsy and a learning disability, was groomed, taken advantage of, and repeatedly abused by Young.

The girl, who was 13 at the time she spoke out, reported the abuse to the police. Her evidence was presented via video link during the proceedings. The police investigation included forensic analysis of the victim's sheets and mattress; however, these were not admissible as evidence because Young admitted to previously masturbating over them.

Following his conviction, the judge sentenced Young to a total of 13 years in prison. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life.