MARK NOYES FROM WINKLEIGH SHOCKS US WITH INTERNET PREDATION IN DEVON AND LOUISIANA

In a disturbing case that highlights the dangers of online grooming and exploitation, Mark Noyes, a 46-year-old man from Winkleigh, Devon, has been sentenced to five years in prison for his involvement in a series of heinous crimes involving underage girls in the United States.

Authorities uncovered Noyes's activities after a family member of one of his victims raised concerns, prompting a thorough investigation by Devon and Cornwall Police. The case underscored a crucial point made by law enforcement officials: offenders can operate from anywhere, and victims can be found across borders. The police expressed their gratitude to their counterparts in the US, emphasizing the collaborative effort that led to Noyes's apprehension.

According to court reports, Noyes, who worked at a meat factory, used internet chat rooms as a platform to groom young girls, some as young as 12, convincing them to perform sexual acts on webcams for his gratification. The Exeter Crown Court heard that Noyes had targeted at least five girls across different states in the US, all of whom he met on the same website. To conceal his identity, he used a cartoon avatar during these interactions.

Detective Constable Glenn Boniface described Noyes as a manipulative individual who exploited vulnerable young girls for his own sexual pleasure. The investigation was described as a two-year, detailed operation involving both the UK police and US law enforcement agencies, including Lt Robbie Broussard from the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office in Louisiana, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the Devon Child Exploitation Team.

Matthew Etre of HSI emphasized the importance of their work, stating, “The targeting of individuals who exploit children and prey on our children is one of our top priorities and anyone who thinks they can get away with it is mistaken.”

Earlier, in March 2013, Noyes faced similar allegations when he was found guilty of luring a 13-year-old American girl into cyber sex. The court described him as a predatory paedophile after evidence revealed he had sent naked photographs of two girls, aged 12 and 13, to him. His bedroom was found to contain explicit images of the 13-year-old girl, and he used a webcam to engage in virtual sex with her, despite knowing her age and having recorded her birthday on his Blackberry mobile phone.

Noyes, residing at Berner’s Cross, Winkleigh, denied multiple charges, including inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and possessing hundreds of indecent images. However, he was convicted on all counts within an hour. Judge Phillip Wassall ordered a report to assess the level of danger Noyes posed to young girls, noting his predatory behavior in chat rooms where he met his victims.

The judge emphasized the need to consider the potential risk Noyes might pose if released, including the possibility of causing serious harm. He indicated that Noyes would likely face a lengthy custodial sentence, with the possibility of an extended license period upon release. Noyes was granted bail to his mother’s home in Hatherleigh under strict conditions, including a ban on contact with minors, restrictions on internet use, and the surrender of any phones capable of internet access.

During the trial, it was revealed that Noyes had befriended two girls in Louisiana, one aged 12 and the other 13. He sent gifts and love letters to the first girl, who responded by emailing him a nude photograph. With the second girl, he engaged in grooming, persuading her to perform sexual acts on webcam for his benefit. Authorities also found a Japanese cartoon depicting a young girl being abused by older men, which Noyes claimed he downloaded by mistake, believing the content was harmless and that the second girl was over 18. He also claimed that his conversations with the girls involved discussions about fantasy fiction and Greek mythology.

Noyes is scheduled for sentencing on April 17, with the location to be determined based on the judge’s schedule, either Exeter, Plymouth, or Truro.