A “nappy fetish” Essex paedophile, Mark Gable, claimed that the camera used to record horrific child abuse was meant to “capture paranormal activity”.
Mark Gable, 33, and his girlfriend Jessica Fry, 27, were both in the dock at Chelmsford Crown Court to be jailed for an extended variety of child sex offences.
The Colchester couple, Mark Gable & Jessica Fry, committed a horrible series of crimes involving the sexual assault of a baby and small children.
The court heard on Friday, December 13, how Mark Gable & Jessica Fry had captured themselves sexually abusing their young victims before preserving the films for their own sexual pleasure.
Mark Gable’s ‘nappy fetish’ was also mentioned throughout the trial as the court listened on how the couple had first been searching for photographs of adults in nappies.
Under Judge Jonathan Seely’s impassioned hearing, Mark Gable and Jessica Fry were imprisoned for almost twenty-one years.
Prosecutor Wayne Cleaver informed Judge Seely throughout the hearing how Mark Gable and Jessica Fry would record their abuse for personal enjoyment.
He also discussed WhatsApp communications between Mark Gable & Jessica Fry, who were dating at the time, discussing Gable’s “nappy fetish” and other obscene material.
Mark Gable & Jessica Fry’s terrible actions started with them searching for pictures of adults in nappies, then children, then they started their torture. Mark Gable was arrested at his own location, hence his abuse continued between December 2017 and May 2019.
Mark Gable said in his first police interviews that he simply made ‘a silly stupid mistake’ and none of it was done for sexual enjoyment; he claimed not to remember the assault when he was questioned.
He added that movement automatically turned on the camera, capturing the abuse since it was meant to record paranormal activity.
Later on, Mark Gable told authorities about his interest in nappies and acknowledged several terrible crimes.
The court heard how he had freely shared with Jessica Fry, with whom he had watched films.
Mark Gable’s admissions then resulted in the arrest of his girlfriend, who had earlier claimed no knowledge of the mistreatment.
Jessica Fry said she ‘never started it and had been opposed to doing it to any child’ when first interviewed.
She also asserted she had never discussed Mark Gable’s obsessions or sexual fantasies, although the WhatsApp communications between the two seemed to contradict this.
Additionally discovered were videos depicting Jessica Fry sexually mistreating several children.
The prosecution then showed Mark Gable films of Jessica Fry’s abuse and went on to detail how she had done certain acts alone.
Charges of Mark Gable & Jessica Fry
Mark Gable, 33, of Edward Paxman Gardens, Colchester, is guilty of three counts of assault by penetration of a child, one act of sexual assault of a child, four counts of taking indecent photos of children and three counts of creating indecent images of children.
Mark Gable will spend 11 and a half years inside bars, then spent another eight on licence. He will have to pay two thirds of his term before being considered for parole since he has been labelled as a dangerous offender.
Of Edward Paxman Gardens, Colchester, Jessica Fry, 27, accepted one count of assault by penetration of a child, one count of sexual assault of a child, three counts of taking indecent photos of children, two charges of disseminating indecent images of children.
Jessica Fry was sentenced to ten years.
Mark Gable and Jessica Fry have both been placed on the lifetime sex offender register.
“At each stage, he would have known what he was doing was deeply wrong”.
Defence attorney Allan Compton represented Gable, who told the judge he did not want the court to view him as a dangerous man even though he did not explain his client’s behaviour.
“We don’t claim that these offences suddenly emerged out of the blue,” Mr Compton said.
“There is no past conviction anywhere.”
Approaching Judge Seely, he said, “We ask your honour to take that into consideration.”
Mr Compton then went on to explain how, following one of the initial instances of abuse, Gable had “cried and regretted his behaviour”.
Judge Seely remarked, “At each stage, Mark Gable would have known that what he was doing was deeply, deeply wrong,” in response to the assertions the 33-year-old had presented regarding regret.
“He knew it was wrong, without any question, in my opinion.
“He claimed he cried and regretted it but committed more offences.”
Mr Compton then informed the court that Mark Gable was happy he was discovered since it would allow him to receive the necessary treatment.
He said: “He thinks he requires all the assistance he might have. He is glad he was caught, as he may now receive treatment.
“He wants to enrol in every course available in jail.
“He accepts that he will spend many years in jail and that this is a punishment he will be living with for the rest of his life.”
Peter Spary, Jessica Fry’s defence attorney, told the court the 27-year-old had “idolised” Gable. He also remarked that he disagreed with her being a dangerous lady.
“Reports state she is not likely to commit another offence,” he remarked.
Mr. Spray said of Fry’s friendship with Mark Gable: “This relationship moved very quickly, she idolised him.”
He continued by saying Fry said she was a “people pleaser” and her only goal was to make Gable happy.
Judge Seely disagreed, nevertheless, that Jessica Fry only carried out the crimes to satisfy Gable during the hearing.
“I think she should be reminded of the young people she mistreated,” he remarked.
“They wouldn’t be pleased with her.”
“It is difficult to accept any plea of regret from you”.
Mark Gable & Jessica Fry spent more than twenty-one years imprisoned overall.
“As far as you are concerned, there have been recommendations that there is a risk that you will commit further offences and that you will cause physical and emotional pain to others,” Judge Seely remarked to Gable.
“You are impossible to accept any regretful plea from.
“You decided to do it again, knowing fully what you were doing and how horrible it was.”
For his most serious offence, the judge condemned Gable to 11 and a half years; he also received eight years on licence.
He also received eleven further sentences overall, which will all run concurrently.
Jessica Fry was sentenced after Mark Gable was taken out of the court chamber.
Judge Seely said: “You mentioned that what you did was awful because it gets you thrown in prison for a long time, and it damages families.
“I do not question whether you knew this before committing these crimes.
“This is quite severe offending.
“For what reason has this occurred? For you chose selfishly to meet your own needs.”
Although Jessica Fry received additional sentences for the rest of her crimes, her ten-year incarceration will be served concurrently.
Furthermore, on the sex offenders register for life will be Mark Gable and Fry.
“Mark Gable & Jessica Fry are methodical and dangerous paedophiles.”
From the North Child Abuse Investigation Team, investigating officer Detective Constable Jeanine Atkins-Calver said: “Mark Gable and Jessica Fry are dangerous and meticulous paedophiles.
Together, Mark Gable & Jessica Fry not only mistreated extremely young children but also recorded cruelty motivated by personal enjoyment.
“Their atrocities are horrifying. It is repugnant to subject anyone to sexual abuse, but it is unthinkable when that victim is so young.
“Mark Gable & Jessica Fry are a public hazard. Thus, I am glad they both now spend much time behind bars.”
From the North Child Abuse Inquiry Team, Detective Inspector Lisa Norcott said: “I would want to thank the families of the children involved and the strength they have shown throughout this upsetting inquiry.
“I would also want to commend the tenacity of the POL officer DC Rob Armstrong and the hard work of DC Atkins–Calver and DC Carley Parodi from the North CAIT team for ensuring that both suspects had no choice but to plead guilty and in turn, ensure that the suspects could not have access to other small children.”
Senior CPS East of England crown prosecutor Meyrem Flint said: “Mark Gable & Jessica Fry worked together to exploit youngsters for their enjoyment.
“This was deliberate, predatory activity aimed at young children; the couple decided to hide their terrible deeds.
“We would like to honour the bravery and strength shown by the children and their families, and we hope that today’s result brings peace.”
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