‘They preyed on the innocence of children’
Mark Whitworth and Karl Sharples have been jailed
Mark Whitworth, left, and Karl Sharples
Two ‘sexual predators’ who ‘preyed on the innocence of children’ have been jailed. Mark Whitworth has been locked up for life, with a minimum term of 21 years, for depraved abuse committed against five children.
Remorseless Whitworth, 57, who continues to maintain his innocence, was found guilty after a trial of offences including rape and sexual assault. A judge described his behaviour ‘disgusting’.
As part of the same case, Karl Sharples, 38, was jailed for 12 years in relation to offences committed against a child. Both were made the subject of sexual harm prevention orders.
Judge Kate Cornell said victim impact statements had been submitted, which outlined the serious harm the children were caused. “Each has detailed a deep and lasting traumatic impact they have suffered,” she added.
Whitworth, from Radcliffe, Bury, was found guilty of three counts of rape; six counts of raping a child under 13; eight counts of sexual assault; 11 counts of sexual assault of a child under 13; six counts of assault by penetration; four counts of assault by penetration committed against a child under 13; four counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity; four counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity; four counts of causing a child to watch a sexual act; and four counts of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.
Sharples, from Atherton, Wigan, was found guilty of one count of rape; two counts of sexually assaulting a child under 13; seven counts of sexual assault; and two counts of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child.
After the hearing, prosecutors branded the pair as ‘sexual predators’ who ‘preyed on the innocence of children’. Stacey Gosling, senior crown prosecutor at the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Karl Sharples and Mark Whitworth are sexual predators and a danger to children.