Serial Sex Offender Jailed for “Brutal” Rape of Young Boy

Mark Anthony Hawkes, 39, was convicted at Swansea Crown Court this week of raping a boy under 13 and committing two further sexual assaults against him. The offences took place in the Neath Port Talbot area in the mid‑2000s.

Hawkes, who is already serving a sentence for sexually abusing a girl under 13, denied the allegations against the boy but was found guilty following a trial.

“Brutal” rape accompanied by threats and violence

Prosecutor Ian Wright told the court that Hawkes subjected the boy to a “brutal” rape and serious sexual assaults, using intimidation, violence and threats to kill him if he ever spoke out.

The abuse of the boy happened shortly after Hawkes had sexually assaulted a young girl — offending for which he received a nine‑year sentence in 2021, made up of eight years in custody and one year on licence.

The court also heard that Hawkes had been released on licence from a previous sentence for sexually assaulting a woman in her 20s shortly before abusing the girl.

Victim endured “mental and psychological torture” for nearly 20 years

Recorder Jonathan Rees KC, who presided over the trial, said the evidence from the male victim was “harrowing”.

> “The brutal rape and serious sexual assaults caused him almost two decades of mental and psychological torture,” he said.  

> “He told the jury how the abuse almost destroyed him — and it is to his credit that it did not.”

Defence: Hawkes “went completely perverse” in mid‑2000s

Defence barrister Colin McCarraher said Hawkes had not committed any sexual offences since the period before the court and described his client as someone who “went completely perverse” during the mid‑2000s.

He said Hawkes’ family had cut ties with him following his convictions, leaving only his grandfather — who died earlier this week — as the sole relative who maintained contact.

McCarraher added that Hawkes had completed every available rehabilitation course in prison and had been an enhanced prisoner for six years.

16‑year sentence imposed — to run after current term

Hawkes was sentenced to 16 years as an offender of particular concern, made up of 15 years in custody and a mandatory one‑year licence period. The sentence will begin after he completes the term he is currently serving.

He will only be eligible to apply for release after serving two‑thirds of the custodial element, and even then, the Parole Board will decide whether he is safe to be released.

Recorder Rees said the combined effect of the sentences imposed since 2021 means Hawkes now faces 24 years in prison, followed by two years on extended licence.

Hawkes will remain on the sex offender register for life and is subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order restricting his access to children.

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Support for Sexual Abuse

If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual abuse, support is available:

Lifecentre

- 0808 802 0808 (freephone)  

- lifecentre.uk.com  

Support for survivors of rape and sexual abuse, including helplines and counselling.

NAPAC (National Association for People Abused in Childhood)

- 0808 801 0331  

- napac.org.uk  

Helpline and support for adult survivors of childhood abuse.

One in Four

- 0800 121 7114  

- oneinfour.org.uk  

Counselling and advocacy for adults who experienced childhood trauma or abuse.

Safeline

- 0808 800 5005 (Male Survivor Helpline)  

- safeline.org.uk  

Support for adults and young people affected by sexual abuse.

The Survivors Trust

- 0808 8010 818  

- thesurvivorstrust.org  

Directory of specialist local services and ISVA support.

Rape Crisis England & Wales

- 0808 802 9999  

- rapecrisis.org.uk  

Support for women and girls affected by sexual violence.