Mark Dodds, a sex predator, was sentenced to 20 years for abusing young girls online
County Durham: The young victims of a notorious sex predator are being hailed for their incredible courage after he was sentenced to prison.
Mark Dodds, 38, got 20 years behind bars after being found guilty of multiple sexual offenses against young girls. He had already admitted to a staggering 58 charges, including sexual communication with minors and blackmail.
His sentencing took place at Newcastle Crown Court, where he also received an extended license of six years. Over a decade, Dodds used Snapchat to manipulate girls aged 8 to 15 into performing sexual acts during live video calls.
He recorded these calls and used them to blackmail his victims, threatening to share the videos if they didn’t comply with his demands. When police arrested him at his home in Spennymoor, they discovered thousands of indecent images on his devices.
Debbie Breen, who heads the Rape and Serious Sexual Offences Unit at CPS North East, praised the bravery of the victims. She emphasized how their testimonies were crucial in securing Dodds’ conviction.
She stated, “Mark Dodds is a prolific sexual predator who manipulated young girls online for his own gratification. He showed no regard for the emotional and physical harm he caused.”
Breen also highlighted the strength of the young victims, saying their contributions to the case should bring them some comfort after all they’ve endured.
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