VICTOR MARKE AND ZARA PHYTHIAN SENTENCED FOR SHOCKING SEXUAL ABUSE IN NOTTINGHAMSHIRE
In a harrowing case that has sent shockwaves through Nottinghamshire, former actress Zara Phythian and her husband Victor Marke have been convicted and sentenced for their involvement in the sexual abuse of young girls.The incident, which occurred over a period of time and involved serious criminal behavior, was exposed during a detailed court trial at Nottingham Crown Court.
Zara Phythian, aged 37, gained recognition for her roles in films such as "Accident Man 2" (2022), "Tribal Get Out Alive" (2020), and her portrayal in Marvel's "Doctor Strange" (2016), where she starred alongside Benedict Cumberbatch.
Despite her fame and success, her dark involvement in this criminal case has overshadowed her career.
The court proceedings revealed disturbing details about the abuse.
The victim, a girl who was between 13 and 15 years old at the time, was given alcohol in the form of rum and then was asked if she wanted to play a game of "dare." The trial description painted a chilling picture of how the abuse was initiated and sustained, with Phythian, who resides on Taurus Close in Mansfield, allegedly encouraging the acts.
According to the court, Phythian, an experienced martial artist, alongside her husband Victor Marke—who is 59 and from Mavis Avenue, Ravenshead—coerced the girl into engaging in sexual acts.
The trial heard that the couple dared the girl to participate in sexual acts with both of them.
The victim recounted how Marke, at some point, made threats against her, forcing her to record some of the abuse, which she later described as the conduct of a "Jekyll and Hyde" couple.
The victim, who chose to remain unnamed, provided evidence of a Chinese calligraphy tattoo that Phythian has near her private parts, which was mentioned during the court hearings.
The abuse, which was alleged to have occurred at least 20 times, continued until the girl was 16 years old.
The court was told that her initial disclosure came after another complaint in 2016.
One particularly disturbing detail involved Marke pretending to be asleep during one incident, which the victim believed to be a pre-planned act of abuse involving both Phythian and herself.
The court heard that Marke joined in the abuse alongside his wife, despite initially appearing to be unaware or unresponsive.
During the sentencing, Judge Mark Watson expressed his belief that the abuse was systematically pre-arranged and that Victor Marke was the primary orchestrator.
Addressing Marke directly, the judge stated, "I regard you as the driving force behind the abuse.
You were clearly aware of the first incident but pretended to be asleep.
This could only have been a ruse agreed in advance." The judge also commented on Phythian's background, stating that her deviances and questionable behaviors were influenced by Marke from an early age.
Addressing her directly, the judge said, "While you denied in cross-examination that you were besotted with Victor Marke, on the evidence I have heard, I am in no doubt that your deviance was shaped by the influence he had on you from an early age." The court recognized that these acts began when she was still young but emphasized that this could not be used as an excuse for her actions.
Both defendants were sentenced to significant prison terms, with the court asserting that they would serve at least half of their sentences before being eligible for parole.
As Phythian was led away to begin her prison term, she waved at the public gallery, where a woman shouted, "I love you, Zara." The court's ruling marked a somber end to a case that has profoundly impacted the local community.
Zara Phythian from Mansfield and Victor Marke from Ravenshead now face years behind bars, their criminal actions forever tarnishing their reputations in Nottinghamshire.
