Hayle man jailed for non-recent sexual offences
A Hayle man who subjected two children to repeated sexual acts and rapes over many years has been jailed for 25 years.
Mark Vincent, 56, groomed two young girls convincing them that his abuse was ‘normal’ but they should keep quiet about it.
Vincent, of West Cornwall, was sentenced at Truro Crown Court for 23 non-recent sexual offences in Cornwall over a 25-year period.
On Friday 23 May, he was jailed for 25 years, with one year on licence, and placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.
Following a trial in April, he was convicted of three counts of rape, two counts of attempted rape, eight counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 16, nine counts of sexual assault and one count of causing a child under the age of 13 years to watch/look at an image of sexual activity.
The court heard that Vincent groomed the first girl before going on to rape and sexually abuse her for nearly 10 years.
He manipulated and controlled his victim into thinking his crimes were normal and they were in a loving partnership - but she shouldn’t tell anyone else.
Many years later he began his grooming process with the second girl by making her watch adult films. He once again insisted it was all normal but should be kept secret. Vincent sexually abused and raped her for three years.
The abuse came to light when the first victim saw Vincent in a public place in company with the second girl. Her urgent concern for the girl prompted her to call police.
Vincent was arrested and the second girl was identified. Both victims told police that he had sexually abused them from a very young age. Vincent denied any wrongdoing.
The case did not proceed to court at the time however, the criminal investigation was reopened in 2022 after one of the victims contacted police and requested a review.
A thorough review of the evidence was undertaken and resulted in the Crown Prosecution Service authorising charges.
Vincent consistently denied all the offences, claiming that one relationship was consensual and started when the girl was 16 and that the other girl was simply lying.
The jury were presented with evidence of an audio tape recording where Vincent admitted to a witness that he had sexually assaulted the first child, but insisted that: “I’ve changed - God, it sickens me.”
Vincent claimed in court that he had only made the admission to appease the witness.
His accounts were dismissed by the jury who took less than two hours to find him guilty of all 23 charges.
Detective Constable Andrew Colley, officer in the case, said: “This case highlights the importance of reporting such offences to the police, no matter how much time has passed.
“Vincent is a very dangerous paedophile who has spent much of his adult life manipulating his way into the lives of very young girls. He was able to groom them into believing that they were in love with him to protect himself and to continue to carry out his offending throughout the years.
“I want to thank the victims and witnesses for their bravery and patience in coming forward and supporting this case which I know will have been extremely difficult for them. It is through their enormous courage that Vincent has been brought to justice.
“I encourage anyone who has experienced similar abuse to report it when they feel ready. Your information could bring an offender to justice - not just for you, but for others.”
Support is available if you need help or assistance relating to sexual assault:
- National Rape Crisis Helpline: 0808 802 9999
- Devon and Cornwall Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARC): 0300 3034626
- Devon, Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Independent Sexual Advisor Service: 03458 121212
- Victim Care Unit: 01392 475900
- Devon Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Services: 01392 204 174
- In an emergency, always call 999 and in a non-emergency please visit www.dc.police.uk or telephone 101.
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