Hathern man convicted of child sex offences jailed

He has been sentenced to 18 years’ imprisonment.

A man from Hathern has been jailed after being convicted of child sexual abuse over 10 years.

Mark Birch, 54, began taking advantage of a six-year-old girl in the late 1990s.

In 2020 his victim – who is now an adult – contacted police to report what had happened. She told officers that several years after the abuse stopped, Birch had apologised to her in person for what he had done.

Birch was interviewed by police and denied the claims, but following a trial, he was found guilty of:

Four counts of indecent assault
Three counts of rape
Two counts of rape of a child under 13
Two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13
Two counts of indecency with a child
Two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
One count of cruelty to a person under 16 years

At Leicester Crown Court, Mark Birch was sentenced to 18 years’ imprisonment with an extended licence period of two years.

Detective Sergeant Anna Blockley, the officer in the case, said: “There can be no mistake Birch committed his crimes solely to fulfil his own sexual gratification.

“His victim was just six when the abuse began. As an adult, he took full advantage of her innocence and she had to grow up continuing to suffer the effects of what he’d done. She’s shown great courage and strength throughout the investigation, including giving evidence in front of a jury at court.

“I hope the fact he’s now facing the consequences of his crimes – a significant time in prison – will provide her with a degree of closure.”

Several different agencies can offer independent help and support to victims of sexual offences in Leicestershire.

Further information on these services and details on who to contact if you have been a victim of a sexual offence can be found by visiting https://www.leics.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences