A Metropolitan Police investigation has led to the imprisonment of a man who sexually assaulted four teenage girls in Barking. Mark Franklin, 56, of Westrow Drive, Barking, was sentenced to 18 and a half years at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday, 14 March.
He has also been placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.
The investigation began in April 2024 after a 15-year-old girl reported being sexually assaulted by someone she knew.
Through building trust with the victim, officers uncovered that Franklin had abused three other girls.
On Tuesday, 22 October 2024, a jury unanimously found Franklin guilty of multiple charges, including rape of a child under 16, sexual assault by penetration, and causing a child to engage in a sexual act.
Detective Constable Jodie Singer, who led the investigation, praised the bravery of the victims: “Today we achieved justice for these four girls. I hope the severity of the sentence provides some comfort to them and their families.
Franklin showed no remorse, even filming his horrific assaults, believing he would never be caught. The victims’ strength and cooperation were vital in securing his conviction.”
Between August 2023 and January 2024, Franklin sexually assaulted the four girls, aged 15 and 16, after plying them with drugs and alcohol at his home. He described their reactions to the drugs as ‘incredible’ and ‘absolutely breathtaking’.
