Paedophile who bribed children into performing sex acts found guilty of 19 child sex offences

A PAEDOPHILE who raped two children and bribed them into performing sexual acts on him has been found guilty of 19 child sexual offences.

Mark Butterworth (28) formerly of Lilac Crescent, Hoyland, committed a range of harrowing offences over an eight-year period against his two victims, who were aged between nine and 12 years at the time.

Investigating officer Det Sgt Sam Newton called it “a particularly sinister case in which Butterworth exploited his victims’ trust and innocence to deliver a sustained campaign of vile abuse against them”.

Sheffield Crown Court heard how between 2007 and 2015, Butterworth sexually abused his victims repeatedly, bribing them to perform sexual acts in exchange for time on his PlayStation console.

After a seven-day trial, Butterworth was found guilty last Wednesday of three counts of rape of a child under 13; four counts of causing a child to watch a sexual act; two counts of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child and three counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity.

He was also convicted on two charges of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity; one count of sexual assault of a child under 13; one count of making an indecent image of a child and one charge of possession of an indecent photograph of a child.

Butterworth was remanded in custody until his sentencing on April 29.

After the sentencing, Det Sgt Newton said: “I am pleased that Butterworth has been found guilty of his crimes and that the volume of offences brought against him reflects the severity of his offending.

“I hope that it will serve as a lesson that crimes of this nature will not go unpunished, and we will pursue those who exploit children and bring them to justice.

“These two young victims have been left traumatised by Butterworth’s crimes, and I want to commend them both for their bravery in coming forward and reporting his vile behaviour.

“I want to be very clear - if you, or someone you know, is being abused, please know it is not your fault. Do not be ashamed — it is always the offender who is to blame.

“Please report it to us so we can support you. Call 101, 999 in an emergency or report online.”

South Yorkshire Police said they did not have a custody photo of Butterworth on file.