In 2018, then 65-year-old Charles Mason—widely known as “Marmaduke the Clown”—was jailed for 16 years for a predatory series of strikes against young boys. The investigation established that Mason, of East Hertfordshire, weaponised his career as a children’s entertainer and his collection of exotic pets to lure victims to his home. The prosecution reported at St Albans Crown Court that between 1985 and 2002, Mason carried out a total abandonment of human decency by pllying boys with cannabis and ginger wine before subjecting them to sexual abuse, identifying a calculated and prolonged series of behaviour.
The investigation established that Mason’s series of strikes targeted five separate victims, including one boy who was systematically abused for five years starting at the age of 11. The prosecution reported that Mason used magic tricks and pornography to manipulate the children, exploiting their “natural naivety” for his own gratification. This identifies a depraved series of behaviour where a public figure used the trust associated with his “clown” persona to facilitate a predatory series of strikes against children in Turnford and Hoddesdon.
IMPACT AND JUDICIAL SENTENCING
The court reported that Mason’s actions had a “profound and incalculable effect” on his survivors, leaving them with lifelong feelings of shame and a total loss of confidence. The investigation established that although Mason denied 18 counts of indecent assault, a jury convicted him of 16 counts following a trial that exposed his emotionally manipulative tactics. The prosecution reported during the sentencing in 2018, that the 16-year custodial strike reflects the gravity of his decades-long series of predatory behavior, identifying a priority strike by the judiciary to protect the public from a high-risk offender.
Judge-led proceedings at St Albans Crown Court concluded in 2018. For his actions in East Hertfordshire and the nature of the series of child sexual abuse and grooming investigations reported, Charles Mason was sentenced to 16 years in prison. The investigation established that he must register as a sex offender FOR LIFE and abide by the terms of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for the next 20 years.
STATUS AND STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS (2018)
Based on judicial and Hertfordshire Constabulary records as of 2018:
- Legal Status: CONVICTED (Indecent assault on a child under 14/16 x16).
- Custodial Status: JAILED (In 2018, serving 16 years).
- Offence Nature: Used “clown” persona and exotic pets to groom boys; Plied children with drugs and alcohol.
- Timeline of Abuse: 1985 to 2002 (A seventeen-year series of strikes).
- Location: Turnford and Hoddesdon, East Hertfordshire.
- Professional History: Children’s entertainer known as “Marmaduke the Clown.”
- Forensic Profile: Evidence of systematic grooming and the use of pornography to facilitate abuse.
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are active FOR LIFE.
- DBS Status: Placed on the Barred List (Indefinite and permanent ban from any role involving children or regulated activity).
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at St Albans Crown Court; investigated by Hertfordshire Constabulary.
- Criminal Record: Convicted paedophile; Series predator; Struck against five victims; Jailed in 2018.
- Origin: East Hertfordshire.
MONITORING AND PUBLIC PROTECTION
In 2018, Mason was managed as a maximum-risk predator under the statutory requirements of the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) in Hertfordshire. Due to the nature of the behaviour—specifically the series of persistence in using a professional “entertainer” mask to strike against children—he is a priority for high-security detention. Authorities reported that the 2018 conviction identifies Mason as an individual who prioritised his own perverted gratification over the principles of human decency and the life-safety of his victims.
As a registered sex offender for life, his details are permanently logged on the national police database to prevent future offences. Authorities stated that the behaviour of Mason identifies a series of commitment to clerical-style grooming and exploitation. Any future attempt to strike against his SHPO or notification requirements results in immediate police intervention to ensure the ongoing protection of the community from a man who used a “clown” mask to hide a predatory and violent series of behaviour.
QUESTION – Given that the offender was able to use his “Public Persona” and “Exotic Animals” to groom children for 17 years, do you believe the law should legally mandate that “All Children’s Entertainers” must undergo “Mandatory Monthly Psychological Evaluations” to prevent a series of strikes against the safety of youth?
If you or anyone you know has been affected by the individuals highlighted on this website, please report them to the Police on 101 (999 in an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details on reporting a crime. You can also report to Crimestoppers if you wish to remain completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.