A MAN who embarked on a sick internet stalking campaign against two schoolgirls has been jailed for five years and four months.

Mark Vincent, 47, from the London area, used the internet to harass two North Yorkshire teenagers for three years, between 2011 and 2014, after posing as a teenager online.

On Friday (April 22) York Crown Court heard how Vincent contacted the first girl when she was 13 and during three years of grooming her for sex with him, used sexual blackmail and threats against her loved ones until she became suicidal.

Vincent told her he would give her ailing grandmother a fatal heart attack by sending her a sexual photo of her grandchild, adding he would “dance on her grave”.

One of the girls realised he was a much older, adult man when she saw a screen reflection of Vincent’s face. She broke contact and contacted the police.

Vincent, in a rage at losing his control, messaged her family and friends and threatened to publish images of the girl unless she contacted him.

By then, Vincent had also started stalking her friend, having got her details on Facebook and sent the second child victim sick and abusive voice mails and texts demanding she arrange contact. He threatened to post pornographic images with the school girls’ faces superimposed to family, schools and public places.

North Yorkshire Police quickly identified Vincent. A warrant for his arrest was issued and officers from Surrey police arrested him in November 2015. Over 60 computer and mobile phone exhibits were seized from his home. A full investigation took place, which uncovered the extent of Vincent’s abuse.

Vincent, of Bedfont Lane, Feltham, Middlesex, pleaded guilty to four charges of possessing indecent photos of the first victim, one of distributing an indecent photo by sending it to her, one of harassment of the first girl by putting a person in fear, and one of harassing the second girl. 

In addition he will be on the sex offenders’ register and was made subject to a sexual harm prevention order restricting his use of the internet, and to a restraining order to protect the two girls.

DC John Atkinson of York Serious Crime Team said: “Mark Vincent is a male in his late forties who has behaved in the most cruel and callous way towards children.

“It was shocking to see laid out in messages, children talking about needing to do homework or attend school clubs only to have Vincent overwhelm them with demands and threats until they gave in to his will.

“A child talking about self-harm or ending her life did nothing to even reduce his demands. With two of his victims he talked about marriage only for one to remind him that at fourteen they were both a bit young.

“I praise the victims for coming forward and seeking help. These children were genuinely frightened by the threats made by Vincent and I'm sure at times if they wondered that there was any way out.

“I want the victims to feel proud they have managed to bring an end to their abuse, and also ended abuse for many other of Vincent’s victims.

“I also want to encourage anyone who thinks they are being targeted or bullied online to come forward.

"Come and talk to the police, we take all reports of this type of crime seriously and we will listen to you and support you every step of the way.”