Doctor Strange actress jailed for eight years for historic child sex offences
Zara Phythian and her husband were found guilty at Nottingham Crown Court last week. He's been jailed for 14 years.
Last updated 16th May 2022
Doctor Strange actress Zara Phythian has been sentenced to eight years in jail for the historical sexual abuse of a teenage girl.
Her victim was was aged between 13 and 15.
Phythian's husband Victor Marke has been sentenced to 14 years' imprisonment for jointly abusing the same victim, as well as the indecent assault of a second girl.
The martial arts instructor and her husband were both convicted at Nottingham Crown Court last week of 14 counts of sexual activity with a child.
Passing sentence, Judge Mark Watson told the couple that he believed the start of the sexual abuse of the joint victim had been pre-planned.
The judge told Marke: "I regard you as the driving force behind the abuse. You were clearly aware of the first incident but pretended to be asleep.
"This could only have been a ruse agreed in advance."
During the sentencing, the judge also said that Phythian's "deviance" was shaped by the influence that Marke had on her from an early age.
One of the victims reportedly told the court that most of the abuse was filmed because the couple were trying to recreate pornographic scenes.
The woman said that she looked up to Phythian and her husband because they were both martial arts instructors.
The 37-year-old, from Mansfield, Nottinghamshire and Marke, 59 from Ravenshead, Notts, were told they will have to serve at least half their sentences before being considered for parole.
Zara Phythian has worked as an actress, stunt double and martial arts expert. She’s a 13-time multi-style martial arts world champion and has starred in numerous films - including as Brunette Zealot in 2016's Marvel film, Doctor Strange.
Viktor Marke is a Taekwondo and martial arts coach who has also worked as a film director and producer.