A former Warrington company director who went on the run after being convicted of historic sex offences involving the rape of a girl aged under 14 in the 1990s has been jailed.
Mark Tilley, now aged 61 – who was listed as a director of Warrington-based Instrument Consultant Technical Services Ltd, a company which dissolved in 2019, was charged with multiple counts of raping and indecently assaulting a girl under the age of 14.
In February last year, a jury found Tilley guilty of six charges. But the former director failed to attend the hearing at Teesside Crown Court and went on the run.
But on Monday this week, Tilley, now from Guisborough, was sentenced to 17 years in prison. He was also made subject to a lifelong restraining order and placed on the sex offender’s register for life.
Tilley was sentenced after being convicted by a jury in February last year, of two counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 14, two counts of indecency with a child under 14 and two counts of rape of a female under the age of 16. In addition to the 17-year custodial sentence, he will also serve a year on licence upon release.
DC Fran Siebrits, the investigating officer of the historic sex offences from Cleveland Police said: “Despite the passage of many years, justice has caught up with Mark Tilley. This cannot compensate for the trauma the victim suffered and I hope it will go some way to help her begin to move forward with her life.
“I cannot commend her enough for her bravery and hope she finds solace in knowing she has safeguarded others.”
Detective Chief Inspector Matt Murphy King said: “DC Fran Siebrits worked tirelessly on this investigation to ensure that enough evidence was gathered to secure a charge for Tilly, and she and her team put together a comprehensive case file to the courts.
“The victim in this case is overwhelmed that justice has finally been served and she can finally get closure and move on with her life. She has expressed her gratitude to the investigation team for their hard work in securing his conviction and for their support throughout the process.
“I hope this case will demonstrate to anyone who is a victim of sexual abuse, that the passage of time is not a barrier to seeking justice. If you are a victim of sexual abuse and are ready to report to the police, please call 101. You will be listened to, believed and supported through the process.”
