MARK NEEDHAM SENTENCED IN MARKET DEEPING FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING 15-YEAR-OLD GIRL

In October 2008, Mark Needham, a 40-year-old resident of Rosemary Avenue in Market Deeping, was sentenced to a total of four years in prison after being found guilty of engaging in sexual activities with a minor. The case was heard at Peterborough Crown Court, where Needham faced five counts related to his inappropriate conduct with a 15-year-old girl.

Needham's legal troubles stemmed from a period of personal hardship, as he had become homeless following a breakup in his relationship. During this vulnerable time, the teenage girl, who was known to have started flirting with him, began to persistently pester him for sexual encounters. Initially, Needham refused her advances, but in August 2006, the girl made a direct proposition, which led to the pair sleeping together. Their clandestine meetings continued over a period, raising serious concerns about the nature of their relationship.

The situation was brought to light when the girl’s father discovered incriminating text messages from Needham on her phone. Concerned about the content, he took his daughter to the police station, which ultimately led to Needham’s arrest and subsequent prosecution. During the trial, the defense, led by Richard Craven, argued that the girl was the instigator of the sexual encounters. Craven stated, “In the trial she said: ‘I pestered him for sex and I got sex’.” He emphasized that although Needham was an adult and the girl a minor, he should have exercised better judgment and refused her advances. Craven also pointed out that the case should not be equated with rape, asserting that Needham did not threaten or coerce the girl.

Judge Sean Enright, presiding over the case, acknowledged the breach of trust involved in the incident. He remarked, “You knew she was 15. Plainly it involved a breach of trust. Through various texts, you incited her to have sex with you. She initiated sexual contact.” The judge clarified that there was no evidence of threats or coercion from Needham, and he considered Needham’s culpability to be lower than many similar offenses. Despite this, the sentence reflected the seriousness of the crime.

Needham was sentenced to three years for each of the three counts of sexual activity with a child, with these sentences to run concurrently. Additionally, he received a one-year sentence for inciting sexual activity with a minor, which was to run consecutively, and an 18-month sentence for abduction, to be served concurrently. The overall sentence underscored the court’s stance on protecting minors from exploitation and ensuring accountability for such offenses.