MARK STRINGER JAILED IN BARHAM FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES NEAR CLAYDON

In a case that has shocked the community of Barham near Claydon, Mark Stringer, a 48-year-old security guard, has been sentenced to three years in prison after being convicted of four counts of sexually assaulting a young girl under the age of 13. The offences occurred over a period spanning from January 2007 to July 2008, during which the victim, a schoolgirl, alleged that Stringer had engaged in inappropriate and intimate contact with her.

Stringer, who resided on Lower Crescent in Barham, had consistently denied the charges, claiming that the girl was lying about the incidents. During his trial at Ipswich Crown Court in April, he maintained his innocence, asserting, “I could never do that to anybody.” Despite his denials, the jury found him guilty of the four counts of sexual assault. As a result, Judge John Devaux sentenced him to three years in prison and ordered that he must sign the Sex Offenders’ Register indefinitely. Furthermore, upon his release, Stringer will be prohibited from working with children under the age of 16.

The case gained further attention when police were contacted in 2010 after the girl, overwhelmed with emotion, broke down in tears and made allegations against Stringer. During the trial, the girl provided her testimony via a TV link, firmly denying that she had fabricated the story. She also refuted suggestions from the defense that she and her friends at school had competed to see who could tell the biggest lie. However, she did admit that after confiding in a male friend about what she claimed Stringer had done, she asked him to tell the police that she had spoken to him in person, rather than through Facebook or email, because she was concerned about her private messages being scrutinized.

In a significant development, the jury was unable to reach a verdict on a further count of rape involving the same girl. The court announced that there would be no re-trial on this particular allegation, effectively ending that part of the case. The entire proceedings have left a lasting impact on the community of Barham and the surrounding areas, highlighting the serious nature of the offences and the importance of safeguarding children from harm.