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.
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.
‘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”‘.
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.
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.
‘I accept you were both involved in a relationship and I accept you were distraught and very upset by her death.
‘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.