Ten men aged 20-45 found guilty of sexually abusing 13-year-old girl they met online

A teacher, a shop worker and a travel salesman were amongst almost a dozen men who have been jailed for a total of 34 years after an investigation found they had been abusing a young teenager.

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by Jessica Anais Rach |
Published on

Dozens of men contact the thirteen-year-old, after she secretly set up a profile on a dating website.

Most of the men broke off contact after finding out her true age, however ten men aged 20-45 continued to pursue her.

A total of 30 suspects were investigated in connection with the girl from North Yorkshire, who was said to have been left was left mentally scarred by her experiences, and is now receiving intensive professional help.

According to reports, the first offender was 39-year-old Mark Harris, who had sex with the schoolgirl shortly after she turned 13.

Sentencing Harris to four and half years in prison, the court was told that he was 'turning a frightened child into a very sexualised child'.

The men pursued the young girl online, despite knowing her age
The men pursued the young girl online, despite knowing her age

Another convict, 33-year-old Mark Lindsay, was found to have encouraged the victim to tell her parents she was visiting friends for a sleepover, when she was in fact traveling to his house for sex.

The girl’s mother became suspicious when she examined her daughter’s phone and found sexual pictures and messages on the child’s mobile phone.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Chief Superintendent Simon Mason said:

'This investigation uncovered large-scale exploitation of a child for the sexual gratification of several men, some of whom were married and had successful careers.

'Although some of the suspects ceased all contact with the girl when they discovered her age, many didn’t and they have been punished appropriately for their crimes.

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