Man jailed for non-recent rape and indecent assaults on children

A man has been jailed for rape and indecent assaults on children that took place more than 30 years ago in the Felixstowe area.

Mark French, aged 61 and formerly of Newbourne Gardens in Felixstowe, appeared at Ipswich Crown Court on Thursday 14 August where he was sentenced to 19 years in prison and two years on extended license.

He had been found guilty by a jury of two counts of rape of a child and 10 counts of indecent assault on children in May 2025, following a 13-day trial.

The offences took place over a 10-year period and involved two girls.

French was charged with the offences in May 2023, after the allegations first came to light in December 2020.

French was also given a restraining order against both victims and made subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

DC Gemma Spink, who was the investigating officer for the case, said: “No sentence will heal the trauma that French inflicted on his victims, who were children at the time of the offending and who have shown great bravery to come forward to report the crimes against them and see the case to its conclusion.

“I hope this outcome will encourage other victims of non-recent sexual abuse to feel confident about coming forward to police and assure them that they will be listened to by officers.”

 Child abuse is often a hidden crime, and Suffolk police work to ensure that the voice of the child is heard and concerns of abuse or neglect are reported and investigated. The Suffolk Multi Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH), which includes the police, county council, education, health and others, jointly working to address issues of risk of harm, abuse and neglect.

If you are concerned about an immediate risk to the safety of a child, please call Customer First on 0808 800 4005. In an emergency, call the police on 999. If you are worried that a child or young person is at risk of abuse or neglect, please make a referral using the Suffolk Children and Young People's Portal.

More details on the Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership children's website: https://www.suffolksp.org.uk/concerned/ and for more details on what to do, how to report it and for advice if you know someone who has been abused, can be found on our website Advice about child abuse | Suffolk Constabulary

The Suffolk Independent Sexual Advisory Service supports victims through the criminal justice process and people can self-refer into the service whether they report to police or not and get the relevant support and support in reporting to police or not.

Website: The Ferns – Sexual Assault Referral Centre

Phone: 0330 223 0099 (24/7)

Duty ISVA 07866 142139 (Mon to Fri - 9am to 5pm)