MARK WHITEHEAD FROM BULWELL SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC ABUSE IN NOTTINGHAM

In a harrowing case that has shocked the Nottingham community, Mark Whitehead, a 29-year-old man from Bulwell, has been sentenced to a total of 16 years in prison for the heinous sexual abuse of an eight-year-old girl from Sutton. The court heard that Whitehead's crimes extended over a two-year period, during which he committed multiple sex offences against the young girl, whose identity remains protected by law.

Whitehead, who resided on Hucknall Lane, was found guilty after a series of investigations and evidence collection. The court was informed that the abuse began when the girl was only seven years old, and it came to light after she confided in her mother about her distress. The police were subsequently involved, leading to a detailed investigation.

During a police interview, the young girl described the terrifying ordeal, stating, “He has been all over me. I tried to stop him, but he kept carrying on. I couldn’t move him away because he was too strong.” She also revealed that Whitehead had inflicted physical harm upon her. Disturbingly, video footage was discovered on her mother’s mobile phone, showing the girl naked, which had been filmed and sent to her by Whitehead.

Prosecutor David Outterside presented emotional statements from the girl’s mother and the victim herself during the court proceedings. The mother described the devastating emotional toll the abuse had taken on her family, saying, “The emotional impact has been devastating. I have been suffering from depression, and this has tipped me over the edge. I have been unable to cope. It has had massive consequences. The pressure on the whole family has been huge. I wanted my daughter to grow up in her teenage years without worries. He has ruined so much.”

The young girl’s statement was equally poignant, expressing her ongoing struggles: “I would like the judge to know how I feel. I find it difficult to get to sleep at night. All I can think about is him. I have had to go to the doctor’s, and sometimes I have nightmares about him. Before he was taken to prison (on remand), I was scared he would come and take me. My teacher says I am the bravest girl she knows. I haven’t recovered and I haven’t forgotten, but I feel I am coping better.”

Initially, Whitehead pleaded not guilty to the charges. However, evidence from sperm-stain tests provided overwhelming proof of his guilt, leading him to change his plea just before the trial was scheduled to begin. In addition to the sexual offences, Whitehead admitted to producing cannabis, with police discovering 12 plants in the loft of his home. He was sentenced to 12 months for this offence, to run concurrently with his 16-year sentence for the abuse.

The judge, Stuart Rafferty, expressed his condemnation of Whitehead’s actions, stating, “You knew what you had done and yet you chose to plead not guilty to prolong the agony.” The court’s decision reflects the severity of the crimes committed and the lasting impact on the young victim and her family, highlighting the ongoing need for justice and protection for vulnerable children in Nottingham and beyond.