21 Year Old Man Jailed for Child Sexual Abuse
A 21 year old man has recently received a jail sentence for child sexual abuse – he began seeing his girlfriend when she was just 13 years old and he was 17.
In 2014, Ashli Blake leaped to her death by jumping from a monument in Rockbourne, Hampshire, following an argument with her boyfriend, Marcus Webb. Police discovered explicit photos of Miss Blake on Mr Webb’s mobile phone during their investigation into her death.
Trial
During his trial at Bournemouth Crown Court, it was revealed that during their relationship Webb would convince Miss Blake to perform vulgar acts during their numerous Skype conversations. Miss Blake would also send lewd photos of herself to Webb via Facebook upon his instruction.
Despite Ashli’s mother, Canasta, prohibiting Webb from entering Ashli’s room when he was in their house – and the young couple’s claims to have never engaged in sexual activity – Ashli discovered she was pregnant in 2012. Simon Jones, prosecuting, said:
‘The mother was not happy with the relationship because of the age gap. She allowed him to come to the house but he was not allowed in her bedroom.
‘She told him “you should not be sleeping with my daughter because of her age”‘.
‘The defendant told her he wasn’t sleeping with her but a few days later her mother found out she was pregnant and kicked him out.’
According to Mr Jones, Ashli wanted to keep the child, while her mother advised her to have a termination. Ashli took her mother’s advice and had an abortion, Mr Jones added:
‘Ashli’s mother told the police her daughter wanted to keep the baby but Ashli accepted advice and had a termination.’
In the months following the abortion, Webb mocked Ashli, even sending her a Mother’s Day card which was reported to the police.
Webb was soon apprehended and cautioned by Dorset Police for ‘engaging in sexual activity with a girl of 13’. Mr Jones told the court that this ordeal had a great impact on Ashli’s mental state and thus contributed to her death.
Shortly before Ashli died in the September of 2014, she sent Webb a text message, part of which read:
‘If we can’t be together I don’t want to be here.’
Sentencing
After admitting inciting sexual activity with a child and causing a child to take part in sexual activity, Mr Webb was jailed for four years.
Judge Brian Forster, sentencing, said there were ‘No words available to describe the impact of her death on her family.’
He added:
‘I accept you were both involved in a relationship and I accept you were distraught and very upset by her death.
‘However you exploited Ashli and forced her to carry out what are degrading sexual acts.’
Defending Mr Webb, David Povell, described him as ‘very immature’. Mr Povell told the court:
‘Marcus was not a man capable to deal with people his own age.
‘He remains a young man who comes across as a young teenager.
‘His intention was not about degradation, it was about sexual activity.’
Sexual Abuse Claims – Expert Advice
Hampson Hughes Solicitors specialises in directing sexual abuse claims in a considerate and compassionate manner. Our Abuse & Criminal Injuries Department is headed by Greg Neill – Greg is a member of the Association of Child Abuse Lawyers (ACAL).
For an open and friendly conversation about your situation, and to find out how we can assist you relevant to your individual experience, call 0800 888 6 888 or email
You will be given the direct-dial of your case handler, meaning that you will always be able to reach the person you need.
Source: Mail Online
