MARK FRANKLIN SENTENCED OVER 18 YEARS FOR SEXUAL ASSAULTS IN BARKING

A man identified as Mark Franklin, aged 56, who resides on Westrow Drive in Barking, has been handed a prison sentence exceeding 18 years after being found guilty of sexually assaulting four teenage girls. The court proceedings revealed a disturbing pattern of behavior where Franklin would deliberately intoxicate his victims with alcohol and drugs, often recording the assaults without their consent. These recordings, which captured the heinous acts, were part of the evidence that led to his conviction.

During the trial, Franklin was heard describing how he found the effects of the drugs he administered to his victims as "incredible" and "absolutely breathtaking," indicating a disturbing appreciation for the transformation caused by the substances. The investigation uncovered that Franklin attempted to downplay his actions, claiming that his behavior was merely "just a bit of fun," in an apparent effort to minimize the severity of his crimes.

Authorities discovered a significant amount of messaging where Franklin expressed affection for one of his victims, even claiming to have had a secret crush on her. These messages demonstrated his manipulative tendencies and the extent to which he sought to control or influence his victims. The charges against Franklin included multiple serious offenses: raping a girl under the age of 16, sexual assault by penetration, sexual assault, and causing a child to engage in a sexual act. The jury reached a unanimous verdict on October 22 of the previous year, confirming his guilt on all counts.

The criminal investigation was initiated after a girl under 16 reported the assault in April 2024. Further inquiries revealed that Franklin had also abused three other girls aged 15 and 16 between August 2023 and January 2024. As part of his sentence, Franklin has been placed on the sex offenders’ register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities.

Detective Constable Jodie Singer, who led the investigation, expressed her thoughts on the case, stating: “Today we achieved justice for these four girls, and I hope the severity of the sentence can provide some comfort to them and their families. Throughout the entire investigation, Franklin showed absolutely no remorse. He was so comfortable in his offending that even after filming the horrific assaults, he never believed he would be caught. The young victim-survivors have shown remarkable bravery throughout this process, their strength and willingness to work with us has been vital in securing his conviction. I want to thank them for their trust in the police and for their resilience during such a distressing time.”