In 2019, the Offender Database recorded that Mark Fysh, then 60, of Whitecross, Wootton, near Abingdon, Oxfordshire, was sentenced to prison. On Friday, 5 July 2019, Fysh was wheeled into the dock at Reading Crown Court to receive a 30-month sentence after being convicted of a series of historical sexual offences against a teenage girl.
The investigation established that Fysh, a former Unison branch secretary for Oxfordshire and a champion for disabled rights, abused his victim in the 1980s when she was aged between 13 and 15. The court heard how Fysh groomed the girl while she was emotionally vulnerable, often visiting her home to “sit and watch TV and cuddle” while her parents were present. The abuse escalated to inappropriate touching and sexual assault, with the most serious incident occurring when Fysh followed the victim to her bedroom.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that Fysh attempted to use his physical disability as a defence, claiming in court that his medical condition made the sexual abuse impossible. However, a jury rejected his claims and convicted him of seven counts of indecent assault and two counts of indecency with a child. Judge Nigel Daly noted that Fysh had made efforts to cover his tracks and had caused significant psychological harm to his victim, who suffered from decades of anxiety, depression, and nightmares.
The judge noted that the victim’s education and career were severely impacted by the abuse, leading to a breakdown during her time working for Wiltshire Police. For his actions in Wootton and Abingdon, Oxfordshire, the court determined that a custodial term was necessary despite the defendant’s health concerns and upcoming hip surgery. The prosecution noted that the defendant’s position of trust as a family friend was an aggravating factor in the grooming process.
Sentence and Statutory Requirements
For his crimes in England, Mark Fysh was handed:
- Custodial Sentence: 30 months in prison (to serve 15 months in custody and 15 months on licence).
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements were activated.
- Judicial Oversight: Convicted at Oxford Crown Court and sentenced at Reading Crown Court.
- Convictions: Seven counts of indecent assault and two counts of indecency with a child.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Fysh is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by Thames Valley Police and the prison estate. Due to the nature of the historical abuse in Wootton, Oxfordshire, his management is subject to oversight by the Public Protection Unit.
As a member of the Sex Offenders Register, Fysh must comply with notification requirements regarding his residence in Whitecross, Wootton, Oxfordshire. Authorities state that his background as a union representative and his public profile as a disability advocate will be factors in his risk assessment. Any breach of his registration conditions or future licence terms will result in immediate arrest and a return to court.
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