Man jailed for historic child sexual offences

A man has been jailed for a decade for historic child sexual offences in Stoke-on-Trent.

Mark Simpkin, 56, from Stoke-on-Trent, was sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court yesterday (Tuesday 12 March) to ten years behind bars following a four-day trial in November last year.  

He was found guilty of one count of sexual assault, one count of indecent assault of a child and four counts of indecency with a child.  

The offences, which took place in the 1980s, were reported in 2021 and investigated by the our Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Team.

Detective Constable Michael Hall, the officer in the case, said: “I would like to commend the victim’s bravery in coming forward and telling us what Simpkin had done.

“This case shows that it doesn’t matter how long it takes, we will always do whatever we can to support victims and help them achieve justice.

“I would encourage anyone affected by sexual abuse, no matter how recent, to get in touch with us. You will be believed, supported and offenders will be brought to justice.”

If you’re a survivor of sexual assault and you’d like to speak to us in confidence, call 101 or message us using Live Chat on our website.

If you want to stay anonymous, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Tell them what you know, not who you are.