North Tyneside rapist jailed for 12 years.
Last updated 23rd Apr 2024
A man who raped a teenage girl has been locked up for more than a decade for his crimes.
Mark Fairman, 24, targeted his victim during a gathering in the early hours of December 27, 2018.
Things took a sinister turn when Fairman, who had remained at the address afterwards, attempted to ply the girl with alcohol over a number of hours.
The pair had been sat on the sofa together before Fairman pinned her down and raped her.
The victim was so traumatised by what had happened that she didn’t tell anyone straight away.
However, three months later, the terrified teenager confided in friends and family and an investigation was launched by Northumbria Police.
Fairman, of Rowanberry Road, Longbenton, North Tyneside, was subsequently arrested and charged with one count of rape.
He denied the charges but was found guilty during a trial at Newcastle Crown Court earlier this year.
And on Friday (April 19), at that same court, he was sentenced to 12 years behind bars.
He was also made to sign to the Sex Offenders’ Register for life, given a restraining order preventing contact with this victim and handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).
Detective Sergeant Barbara Callaghan, of Northumbria Police’s Safeguarding Department, led the investigation.
She said: “Fairman preyed on a teenager in a cold and premeditated way, subjecting her to the worst ordeal imaginable. He’s shown no remorse for his crimes and is undoubtedly a danger to our wider communities.
“I absolutely welcome this sentence and hope it provides his brave victim with some comfort and a sense of justice.
“I’d also like to take this opportunity to praise her for her bravery. I know it’s never easy to come forward, but her courage and composure during the investigation means a predatory man has been outed for what he is – a rapist.”
Det Sgt Callaghan added: “I hope this sentence serves as a stark warning to those despicable people among us who believe they can get away with crimes such as these; you can’t, and you won’t.
“No one should ever have to endure this type of assault and support is available from our officers and the many fantastic charities we work closely with.
“Regardless of who you are, if you have ever been a victim of rape or any type of sexual assault, we’re here for you.”
Anyone wishing to disclose a report of rape or sexual assault can visit Northumbria Police’s website for more information. If it is an emergency, always call 999.