MARK CHAWNER'S SHOCKING CHILD SEXUAL OFFENCES IN BURSTLEM LEAVE VICTIMS TRAUMATIZED FOR DECADES

In a case that has left a lasting scar on the victims involved, Mark Chawner, a man from Minster Street, Burslem, was convicted of heinous child sexual offences committed over four decades ago. The disturbing details emerged during a court hearing at Warwick Crown Court, revealing the long-lasting impact of his actions on the victims, both female and male.

Chawner, now aged 53, admitted to multiple charges including three counts of indecent assault, one count of attempted indecent assault, and four counts of indecency with a child. These offences took place when he was just a teenager, around the age of 13, and involved sexually abusing a young girl in front of a young boy. The crimes occurred on numerous occasions, with Chawner touching and licking the girl’s private parts while instructing her to keep silent about the abuse, warning her not to tell her parents.

The court heard that the abuse was not a one-time event but a series of repeated acts that left deep psychological scars. The female victim, now an adult, shared her ongoing suffering, describing how the trauma continues to affect her daily life. She told The Sentinel that even after all these years, she still feels “dirty” and struggles with feelings of worthlessness stemming from the abuse. She recounted her ongoing panic attacks, especially when her own children come into her bedroom at night, recalling how her past experiences cause her to hide under the covers in fear. She explained, “Now he has admitted his guilt my head can go higher. If my child came into our bedroom at night if they were sick I would have to put the covers over my head because I’d go into panic mode. He used to come into my bedroom and I’d associate it with that.”

Her words painted a picture of a woman haunted by her past, suffering from depression and sleep disturbances, and feeling unable to speak openly with a counselor due to the internal turmoil. She expressed that the pain remains fresh, stating, “I still feel sad about it, I’m still upset about it now. Nothing will ever make it go away.”

The male victim, who was also a child at the time, described how the abuse had a profound and lasting effect on his life. He explained that the trauma made him feel “dirty” and adversely affected his early relationships. The victim revealed that the experience has made him more protective of his own children, and he admitted that he thinks about the incident daily. “What had happened to us made me feel dirty. I struggled in early relationships because of what he put us through. It’s had an adverse effect with the relationship I have with my children and it’s made me more protective of them. There’s not a day that goes by where I don’t think about it. I think the sentence was very lenient, but no punishment would ever make right what he did all those years ago. He should have admitted his guilt straight away and saved us all of this,” he said.

Prosecutor Timothy Harrington outlined the extent of Chawner’s offending, stating that the abuse occurred on “many occasions” and “every time” he had the opportunity. He detailed the first incident, where the young girl was dressed in her nightie and practicing gymnastics when Chawner proceeded to tickle and lick her private parts. Later, at bedtime, he entered her room, got into her bed, lifted her nightie, and again engaged in inappropriate acts, instructing her not to tell her parents. The male victim, too young to fully understand at the time, witnessed the abuse and carried the trauma with him into adulthood. He eventually confided in a friend and reported the crimes to authorities.

Chawner was arrested in May 2016. Initially denying the allegations, he later pleaded guilty to all charges. As part of his sentence, he received a 36-month community order, which includes a requirement to complete 200 hours of unpaid work. Additionally, he has been placed on the sex offenders register for five years and is subject to a 12-month supervision requirement. The court also imposed a ban on him working with children, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the need to protect others from potential harm.