A Brackla paedophile, Mark Lewis, sexually molested a young girl during a massage and was discovered in possession of indecent photographs of minors on his phone upon arrest. He subsequently accused a buddy of being responsible for the photographs, asserting that they were already there on the phone when he purchased it from him.
Mark Lewis, 44, of Bridgend, exploited his victim while massaging her back, thereafter removing her pants and inappropriately groping her genitalia and buttocks. While testifying at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court, the victim stated: “When your hand remains in that position for five to ten minutes, it cannot be deemed a mistake.”
The defendant was apprehended in 2021, and law enforcement confiscated his phone. The inspection of the device revealed the presence of indecent photographs of children, classified as categories A, B, and C. He proceeded to accuse three individuals for the photographs before attributing blame to a friend who had sold him the phone.
He was subsequently convicted of engaging in sexual conduct with a minor and three counts of having obscene pictures. During a sentencing hearing at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday, it was said that Mark Lewis upholds his innocence.
Defence barrister Marian Lewis stated that there was “little” she could articulate in mitigation. She stated that the assault was a “isolated incident” and did not constitute a penetrative offence. She stated that her client had led a “blameless life” and had “served his country” in the Armed Forces, but had recently experienced mental health challenges, including depression and PTSD.
In sentencing Mark Lewis, of St David’s Close, Brackla, Judge Jeremy Jenkins stated that he had assaulted the victim in an exceptionally brutal manner. He stated: “When you provided testimony regarding the indecent images, you disavowed all accountability and attributed blame to another individual who had exhibited generosity by permitting you to reside in his home after your arrest.” He provided you with the phone but bore no responsibility for its content.
“You are not entitled to any credit and uphold your innocence.” You have not acknowledged any accountability for your conduct and have exhibited no remorse whatsoever.
Mark Lewis received a sentence of 18 months in incarceration. He was also subjected to sex offender notification obligations and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for a duration of five years.
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