Former radio DJ receives 12 year sentence for child sex offences
Mark Page, 62, from Teesside, was found guilty of four charges
A former Radio 1 DJ from Teesside has been jailed for 12 years for child sex offences.
Mark Page also used to be an announcer at Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium.
The 62-year-old was found guilty of four charges including trying to arrange sex with children in the Philippines.
Page, from Middlesbrough, was arrested in January 2020 as part of an investigation by the Cleveland Police Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT) in conjunction with the National Crime Agency.
Detective Sergeant Kevin Carter said:
“We welcome today’s sentence which recognises the lasting harm Page caused to his victims.
“As a result of our investigation we were able to safeguard children so they are no longer at risk of abuse.
“Indeed I believe this sentence means the children of the Philippines will be that bit safer, not just because Page is starting a prison sentence, but because others intent on causing children harm in this part of the world may now think twice, in the knowledge that Cleveland Police and other UK Forces will continue to work closely with social media networks and our partners in the National Crime Agency around the world to eradicate the sexual exploitation of children.
“Page attempted to distract the court from the awful truth of his actions. He refused to accept responsibility, attempting instead to lay blame on everyone but himself.
“I would like to thank the jury for their professionalism while considering a large amount of complex digital evidence.
“The court heard how Page attempted to present himself as a respectable and credible individual, yet his actions betrayed the trust and confidence of many people, not least his family and close friends.”
An NSPCC spokesperson said:
“Page used online platforms to arrange access to vulnerable children in the Philippines and then travelled thousands of miles to sexually abuse them.
“His jail sentence sends out a warning to all those who think that going overseas will enable them to hide the terrible crimes they seek to commit.
“This awful case also highlights why it is crucial that the Online Safety Bill compels tech companies to proactively tackle how offenders are organising and carrying out child sexual abuse on their sites.”
Children can contact Childline on 0800 1111. Adults with concerns about the wellbeing of a child can contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 8005000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk.
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