MARK HAYGARTH FROM BLACKBURN AND CROSCOMBE SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC CHILD SEX ABUSE CASES

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Blackburn and Croscombe, Mark Haygarth, aged 53, has been sentenced to 18 years in prison after admitting to a series of heinous sexual offenses committed against five young girls during the 1990s. The crimes, which spanned over several years, involved the abuse of children aged as young as three and up to thirteen, and only came to light after years of silence and delayed reporting.

Haygarth, who was formerly a resident of Croscombe and later moved to Blackburn in Lancashire, appeared before Taunton Crown Court to face the charges. He pleaded guilty to one count of rape and 19 counts of indecent assault and indecency with a child. The court was told that his offending behavior ceased as his victims approached puberty, and at the time, he was described as physically imposing, with a notable large red beard, which contributed to his intimidating presence.

Prosecutor Ian Fenny outlined how Haygarth exploited the trust placed in him by the children’s parents, taking advantage of situations that allowed him to abuse the young girls. He was careful to manipulate the victims into silence, ensuring they would not disclose the abuse to their families. Despite his efforts, a 13-year-old girl who was raped eventually confided in her mother in 1998. However, her allegations were suppressed at the time due to her grandmother’s serious illness, with Haygarth promising to leave the area to prevent further harm.

It was only in 2010, when another victim came forward with her account, that the case gained renewed attention. This led to increased publicity and prompted other victims to speak out about their experiences. During the investigation, it was revealed that Haygarth used his golden retriever to gain closer access to the girls, often buying them gifts and introducing them to tobacco and cannabis—substances he used as tools to silence and control his victims.

One girl was abused from the age of five, unaware of the severity of what was happening to her. She recounted being abused while lying on the grass during walks with Haygarth and his dog. Another victim, who was around nine years old at the time, believed he was teaching her about sex through what he called “games,” but she described his behavior as bossy and coercive. In 1997, a ten-year-old girl recalled being assaulted while picking primroses in a quarry and a nearby field.

Haygarth’s defense lawyer, Kenneth Hand, acknowledged that his client recognized the inevitability of a lengthy prison sentence. He emphasized that Haygarth’s guilty plea was a sign of remorse and a way to spare the five victims from reliving their trauma in court. Hand described the period of offending as a “madness” that Haygarth has since left behind. It was noted that Haygarth had not committed any further offenses since leaving Croscombe 13 years prior, with his only other known sexual offense being an incident of exposure at age 15.

Judge Graham Hume Jones summarized the case, stating that the offenses spanned three to four years and involved girls aged between three and thirteen. Haygarth’s guilty plea on the first day of trial was taken into account, and the judge remarked that if the crimes had been reported earlier, he might have considered a different sentence. The potential maximum sentence for these offenses was 27 years, but after considering the guilty plea, the time elapsed since the crimes, and Haygarth’s move away from the area, the sentence was reduced to 18 years. Additionally, Haygarth was ordered to serve a life-long Sex Offenders’ Prevention Order, to register on the Sex Offenders’ Register without a time limit, and was banned from working with children in any capacity.

Furthermore, Haygarth was placed on a list that prohibits him from engaging in any employment involving children, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses to the community.