MAN JAILED FOR NON-RECENT SEXUAL OFFENCES
A man from Hayle has been sentenced to 25 years in prison after being convicted of multiple sexual offences against two children over a span of nearly a decade.Mark Vincent, aged 56 and residing on Guildford Road, manipulated and groomed two young girls, convincing them that the abuse was normal and that they should remain silent about it.
He was found guilty at Truro Crown Court of 23 historical sexual offences committed in Cornwall during a 25-year period.
The court proceedings in April led to his conviction on three counts of rape, two counts of attempted rape, eight counts of indecent assault on a girl under 16, nine counts of sexual assault, and one charge of exposing a child under 13 to images of sexual activity.
On 23 May, Vincent received a 25-year sentence, with an additional year on license, and lifetime inclusion on the Sex Offenders Register.
The evidence revealed that Vincent initially groomed the first victim, sustaining abuse over nearly a decade.
He manipulated her into believing that his actions were part of a loving relationship and instructed her to keep it secret.
Several years later, he engaged in similar grooming with the second girl, introducing her to explicit films and again insisting she keep silent.
His abuse of her lasted three years.
The crimes came to light when the first survivor saw Vincent with the second girl in public, prompting her to alert authorities.
Following her report, police identified and arrested Vincent, who denied the allegations.
Both victims reported abuse from a young age.
The investigation reopened in 2022 after one victim requested a review, leading to fresh charges.
Vincent maintained his innocence throughout, claiming one relationship was consensual and started when the girl was 16, and dismissing the complaints as falsehoods.
Evidence included an audio recording where Vincent confessed to sexually assaulting the first girl, though he later claimed the statement was made to placate a witness.
The jury, after less than two hours of deliberation, found him guilty of all charges.
He was subsequently sentenced to 25 years, with one year on license, and will be registered as a sex offender for life.
