MARK URE FROM WOODFORD SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN NORTHAMPTON
| Red Rose Database
Woodford Child Sexual Abuser
In March 2022, a disturbing case emerged involving Mark Ure, a 42-year-old man from Woodford, who was convicted of engaging in predatory and illegal communications with minors. Ure’s actions came to light during a police operation aimed at uncovering online child exploitation, leading to his arrest and subsequent sentencing at Northampton Crown Court.
Ure was found to have been actively communicating with what he believed to be underage girls, specifically a 13-year-old girl, through messaging platforms such as Kik Messenger and WhatsApp. Unbeknownst to him, these conversations were with undercover police officers. During these exchanges, Ure attempted to persuade the girl to skip school so they could meet for sexual activity, demonstrating a clear intent to exploit a minor.
The court heard that Ure was also in contact with three other decoys, each posing as girls aged 12 or 13. He engaged in explicit conversations with them, discussing sexual acts and expressing his desire to meet in person. Evidence showed that he even searched for nearby Airbnb accommodations, indicating a plan to meet one of the girls at a location close to her supposed residence.
On March 8, a judge sentenced Ure to a substantial prison term, recognizing the significant danger he posed to young girls. The court handed down a sentence of four years and ten months in prison, with an additional three years and two months on license, reflecting the severity of his offending. The judge, Her Honour Judge Adrienne Lucking QC, emphasized that Ure’s actions demonstrated a deeply rooted sexual interest in very young teenage girls, which posed a serious risk of harm.
During the proceedings, the prosecution, led by Micaila Williams, detailed how Ure believed he was speaking to girls named Olivia, Emma, Lily, and Rhea. He was convinced they were 12 or 13 years old. The conversations quickly turned sexual, with Ure making inappropriate comments about holding the girls to keep them warm and expressing his inability to control his impulses. He sent explicit files of himself and encouraged the girls to perform sex acts, even requesting photographs of them.
Ure also discussed the possibility of meeting the girls in person, with plans to engage in sexual activity. He checked whether the girl he believed to be Olivia could take Thursday off school, indicating his intent to meet soon. Although no meeting occurred, the police confirmed that his plans were serious and that he intended to carry out his intentions.
Further conversations with other girls revealed that Ure had expressed a desire to ask them out if he were not older, and discussions about logistics for potential meetings took place. His online alias was identified as ‘Rustynuts42’. He also spoke about forcing individuals into sexual acts against their will and searched for accommodations near a location he believed one girl was residing at. When one girl expressed concern about her pictures being leaked, Ure warned her about the trouble he could get into, indicating a reckless disregard for the potential consequences of his actions.
Ure’s defense, represented by Liam Muir, claimed that he showed genuine remorse and disgust for his conduct, though the court noted that his remorse was not simply due to being caught. Ure admitted to eight child sex offences, and the judge highlighted the danger he still posed. As part of his sentence, Ure will be required to serve at least two-thirds of his prison term before being eligible for parole. Upon release, he will remain on license for the remainder of his sentence and will be subject to strict conditions, including an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and registration as a sex offender for life. Breaching any of these conditions could result in his return to prison, underscoring the seriousness of his crimes and the ongoing risk he presents to the community.
Ure was found to have been actively communicating with what he believed to be underage girls, specifically a 13-year-old girl, through messaging platforms such as Kik Messenger and WhatsApp. Unbeknownst to him, these conversations were with undercover police officers. During these exchanges, Ure attempted to persuade the girl to skip school so they could meet for sexual activity, demonstrating a clear intent to exploit a minor.
The court heard that Ure was also in contact with three other decoys, each posing as girls aged 12 or 13. He engaged in explicit conversations with them, discussing sexual acts and expressing his desire to meet in person. Evidence showed that he even searched for nearby Airbnb accommodations, indicating a plan to meet one of the girls at a location close to her supposed residence.
On March 8, a judge sentenced Ure to a substantial prison term, recognizing the significant danger he posed to young girls. The court handed down a sentence of four years and ten months in prison, with an additional three years and two months on license, reflecting the severity of his offending. The judge, Her Honour Judge Adrienne Lucking QC, emphasized that Ure’s actions demonstrated a deeply rooted sexual interest in very young teenage girls, which posed a serious risk of harm.
During the proceedings, the prosecution, led by Micaila Williams, detailed how Ure believed he was speaking to girls named Olivia, Emma, Lily, and Rhea. He was convinced they were 12 or 13 years old. The conversations quickly turned sexual, with Ure making inappropriate comments about holding the girls to keep them warm and expressing his inability to control his impulses. He sent explicit files of himself and encouraged the girls to perform sex acts, even requesting photographs of them.
Ure also discussed the possibility of meeting the girls in person, with plans to engage in sexual activity. He checked whether the girl he believed to be Olivia could take Thursday off school, indicating his intent to meet soon. Although no meeting occurred, the police confirmed that his plans were serious and that he intended to carry out his intentions.
Further conversations with other girls revealed that Ure had expressed a desire to ask them out if he were not older, and discussions about logistics for potential meetings took place. His online alias was identified as ‘Rustynuts42’. He also spoke about forcing individuals into sexual acts against their will and searched for accommodations near a location he believed one girl was residing at. When one girl expressed concern about her pictures being leaked, Ure warned her about the trouble he could get into, indicating a reckless disregard for the potential consequences of his actions.
Ure’s defense, represented by Liam Muir, claimed that he showed genuine remorse and disgust for his conduct, though the court noted that his remorse was not simply due to being caught. Ure admitted to eight child sex offences, and the judge highlighted the danger he still posed. As part of his sentence, Ure will be required to serve at least two-thirds of his prison term before being eligible for parole. Upon release, he will remain on license for the remainder of his sentence and will be subject to strict conditions, including an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and registration as a sex offender for life. Breaching any of these conditions could result in his return to prison, underscoring the seriousness of his crimes and the ongoing risk he presents to the community.