MARK RAYWORTH GUILTY IN MICKLEOVER CASE INVOLVING TEENAGE GIRL AND SEXUAL OFFENCES

In a serious development at Derby Crown Court, Mark Rayworth, a man residing in Mickleover, has been found guilty of engaging in inappropriate communication with a girl under the age of 16 through text messages. This conviction comes after a lengthy trial that examined his actions and previous criminal history.

Rayworth, aged 45 and living on Inglewood Avenue in Mickleover, was previously convicted in March 2012 of sexually grooming a 15-year-old girl. Following that conviction, a court-imposed order explicitly prohibited him from making contact with any girl under 16 via electronic devices. Despite this, the recent case revealed that he attempted to breach this order by communicating with a minor through text messages between March and July 2012.

During the proceedings, Rayworth maintained his innocence, denying all charges related to the current case. However, the jury was convinced beyond reasonable doubt that he had attempted to commit an act prohibited by the sexual offences prevention order. They found him guilty of attempting to do so, but acquitted him of seven other counts, all concerning allegations of possessing indecent pseudo-photographs—computer-generated images of children—and viewing extreme pornography.

Before the jury delivered their verdict, Recorder Peter Cooke addressed the courtroom, acknowledging the emotional weight of the case. He emphasized the importance of maintaining decorum and silence during the reading of the verdicts, warning that any breach would be considered contempt of court. Once the jury's decision was announced, the court was silent as the verdicts were read out.

Following the conviction, Recorder Cooke announced that sentencing would be postponed for approximately three weeks to allow for a pre-sentence report. Rayworth was granted bail during this period. The court also heard that Rayworth’s defense claimed his family had set him up out of disgust and feelings of abandonment, especially after his marriage to Catherine Rayworth, which lasted 20 years, broke down amid the criminal investigation. Both Catherine and his daughter, Louise, testified that this was not the case.

Evidence presented during the trial included the discovery of text messages from 2012 on a mobile phone believed to belong to Rayworth. These messages were sent by a girl who was then 12 years old, though she later testified via video link that she could not recall the messages. The court also heard about a separate incident in March 2012, where a 15-year-old girl was approached by Rayworth via Facebook. He claimed to be 37 years old and offered her £100 for a one-night stand.

According to prosecutor Martin Hirst, Rayworth arranged to meet the girl at a McDonald's in Allenton on October 20, 2012. She attended with two friends, and the meeting lasted at least 90 minutes. During this encounter, Rayworth bought drinks, ice cream, and gave her £30 along with 20 cigarettes. The following day, he sent her text messages offering her £100 for sex and expressing that he could not get her out of his mind, complimenting her appearance. The girl, who had already informed Rayworth she had a boyfriend and was happy, responded by stating, “I am not a prostitute.”

Rayworth was arrested on October 28, 2012, and during police interviews, he attempted to dismiss the incident as a joke or banter. The court heard that he tried to downplay the seriousness of his actions, despite the clear evidence of his contact with the minor.

At sentencing, Rayworth, who has no prior convictions, was placed on probation for three years and ordered to participate in a sex offenders' group work program. He was also placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for five years and banned from using the internet and messaging services to contact any girl under 16.

In mitigation, Clive Stockwell argued that Rayworth was experiencing financial difficulties and a broken relationship at the time of the offences. He described Rayworth as emotionally distressed, drinking excessively, and feeling lonely, which contributed to his inappropriate behavior. The court acknowledged these factors but emphasized the importance of rehabilitation and the need to prevent future offences.

Overall, the case highlights the ongoing concerns regarding online grooming and the importance of strict enforcement of protective orders to safeguard vulnerable minors from predatory behavior.