In 2026, the Offender Database recorded that Mark Hirons, then 38, of Habershon Close, Lydbury North, Shropshire, was sentenced to a substantial term of imprisonment for a violent sexual attack. On Monday, 9 February 2026, Hirons appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court, where he was handed a 15-year custodial sentence.
The investigation established that in May 2025, a woman reported being targeted by Hirons in Telford, Shropshire. West Mercia Police arrested him shortly after, launching an inquiry into a series of offences including rape, assault, and intentional strangulation. Following a November 2025 trial, a jury found Hirons guilty on all counts, rejecting his account of events in the Telford area.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
The court reported that Hirons had subjected the victim to a “terrifying” ordeal involving both sexual and physical violence. Shrewsbury Crown Court heard that the charge of intentional strangulation highlighted the dangerous level of force used during the attack. The judge noted that the 15-year sentence was necessary to reflect the gravity of the combined offences and the lasting trauma inflicted upon the survivor in Telford.
The judge noted that the defendant’s actions required a long-term period of incarceration and subsequent monitoring to protect the public. For his actions in Telford, Shropshire, the court determined that Hirons must be subject to strict post-release conditions. The prosecution reported that the survivor’s bravery in coming forward in May 2025 was instrumental in securing the forensic and testimonial evidence required to bring Hirons to justice.
Sentence and Statutory Requirements
For his crimes in England, Mark Hirons was handed:
- Custodial Sentence: 15 years in prison.
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are in effect for life.
- Restraining Order: A formal order prohibiting any contact with the survivor.
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at Shrewsbury Crown Court following a guilty verdict on three counts.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Hirons is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by West Mercia Police and the prison estate. Due to the combination of rape and intentional strangulation in Telford, Shropshire, his management is subject to the highest level of oversight by the Public Protection Unit.
As a member of the Sex Offenders Register, Hirons must comply with notification requirements regarding any future residence in Lydbury North, Shropshire, or elsewhere for the rest of his life. Authorities state that his life-long registration and the restraining order are vital components of his risk management plan. Any breach of his registration conditions or the terms of his licence upon release will result in immediate arrest and a return to Shrewsbury Crown Court.
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