MARK TODD FROM WANTAGE SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS FOR ABUSING TEENAGE GIRLS IN CHURCHYARD

In September 2015, a disturbing case of child abuse culminated in the sentencing of Mark Todd, a man from Wantage, who was found guilty of grooming and sexually abusing two underage girls over a period of several years. The court heard that Todd, in his early twenties at the time, had established a troubling relationship with the two teenage girls after meeting them in a churchyard in Wantage, a small town known for its historic charm and close-knit community.

Judge Peter Ross presided over the case at Oxford Crown Court, where he detailed the extent of Todd’s misconduct. The judge explained that Todd, now 34 years old, had engaged in a pattern of grooming that involved giving the girls alcohol, cigarettes, and various gifts, thereby manipulating and controlling them. Over a span of three years, Todd’s actions escalated into sexual relationships with both girls, which he admitted to during the trial.

Specifically, Todd pleaded guilty to three counts of indecent assault on the first girl, committed between June 2003 and April 2004, and three counts of sexual activity with a child from May 2004 to December 2005. Initially, he denied two additional counts of sexual activity with the second girl between December 2005 and March 2006 but later admitted to these charges on the day of his trial, revealing the full extent of his misconduct.

The court was told that Todd exerted significant control over the girls, even going as far as to impregnate one of them. The first victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, bravely addressed the court, sharing that even a decade after the abuse, her family continued to suffer from the trauma. She described how Todd had violated her trust, her body, and her sense of safety, taking away a part of her childhood that she would never regain. Her statement was read aloud by her, now aged 25, as Todd sat nearby, visibly shaking his head in response.

Judge Ross condemned Todd as a paedophile who had devastated the lives of the two young girls. He remarked that the first victim demonstrated remarkable courage in recounting her experiences, noting that her bravery in speaking out was far greater than Todd’s capacity for remorse. The judge emphasized the importance of her honesty and strength, stating that her account was delivered with calmness and clarity, despite the profound trauma she endured.

As a result of his convictions, Todd was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Additionally, he was ordered to be subject to a sexual harm prevention order and will be required to register as a sex offender for life. The court also left one count of sexual activity with a child and another of buggery on file, meaning these charges could be pursued further if new evidence emerges.

Following the sentencing, one of the girl’s fathers expressed a mixture of relief and shock. He stated, “As I walked out it felt like a new day, a different day in a different life. I am shocked, I am relieved. The sentence was right.” The case highlighted the devastating impact of Todd’s actions on the victims and the community of Wantage, a town that now faces the ongoing challenge of healing from this dark chapter.