MARK THOMPSON SENTENCED IN INVERKEITHING FOR CHILD ABUSE AT EDINBURGH HIGH COURT

Mark Thompson, a 62-year-old former Royal Navy sailor, was handed down an eight-year prison sentence at the High Court in Edinburgh for a series of heinous crimes involving the grooming and sexual abuse of three young boys over a span of fifteen years. The crimes took place primarily during his shore leave in Inverkeithing, a town in Scotland, where he exploited his position of trust to carry out these acts.

Thompson’s conviction was based on six serious charges related to child abuse, although he steadfastly maintained his innocence throughout the proceedings. The court heard disturbing details of his misconduct, including lewd acts with his first victim, which began when the boy was only eight years old and continued for five years. During this period, Thompson also coerced a second boy, aged 12, into viewing pornographic material between October 1984 and October 1985, further illustrating the pattern of exploitation.

The third victim’s abuse spanned from the age of 12 into his early adulthood, with the majority of the sexual acts involving showering naked together, masturbation, and oral sex. The defense argued that grooming a child undermines the concept of consent, emphasizing the manipulative nature of Thompson’s actions and the power imbalance involved.

In her sentencing remarks, Lady Poole highlighted the breach of trust inherent in Thompson’s actions, especially considering his previous conviction for child indecency in 2022. She also pointed out the profound and lasting psychological harm inflicted upon the victims, which was evident from their impact statements. The court noted that Thompson’s conduct had caused significant emotional trauma, and his repeated offenses underscored a pattern of predatory behavior.

Thompson was sentenced to eight years in prison, with the sentence backdated to November 3, 2023, the date he was remanded into custody. Additionally, he is now subject to notification restrictions under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, which require him to register as a sex offender indefinitely. Police officials expressed their satisfaction with the severity of the sentence, reaffirming their commitment to combating child abuse and protecting vulnerable individuals.

During the sentencing hearing, Lady Poole addressed Thompson directly, stating, "Mark Thompson, you were convicted by the jury at the High Court in Edinburgh of sexually abusing three male victims on various occasions over a period of about 15 years. You exploited your position of trust to carry out these acts. Your first victim was abused in the 1980s when he was between 8 and 13 years old, during times when you were not serving in the Royal Navy. Your second victim was subjected to lewd practices by you when he was a boy, and your abuse of the third victim began when he was 12, continuing into his adulthood over approximately ten years."

She further emphasized the long-lasting impact of Thompson’s actions, citing a victim impact statement that detailed enduring emotional scars. The judge acknowledged Thompson’s prior conviction for possessing indecent photographs of children in 2021, for which he received a community payback order. Despite this, she noted that Thompson’s denial of the recent charges and his assessment as a medium risk of re-offending warranted a significant custodial sentence.

In conclusion, Lady Poole underscored the gravity of the crimes committed, stating that a lengthy prison term was justified given the prolonged and systematic abuse of three victims. The sentence reflects the court’s stance on such egregious violations of trust and the importance of safeguarding vulnerable children from predators like Mark Thompson.