Marcus Horn 50

Description

A stalker who subjected a teenage girl to a "determined campaign of psychological abuse" has been jailed. Marcus Horn became obsessed with the youngster, a court heard, messaging her to ask for sex and sending her links to porn sites.

Though he was reported to police Horn was released on police bail, only to plague his victim again. The 49-year-old, of Ivywell Road in Bristol, pleaded guilty to stalking, inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and two charges of having sexual communication with a child.

Judge Julian Lambert handed him an 11-year extended sentence, comprising seven years' custody and four years of extended licence. Horn, who the judge classified as a dangerous offender, was told to register as a sex offender indefinitely and was banned from all contact with the victim and other named parties indefinitely.

The judge told Horn: "This was a determined campaign of psychological abuse. Your conduct is chillingly careless of her age and feelings. Suffering caused is of a high magnitude."

Anjali Gohil, prosecuting, told Bristol Crown Court Horn messaged the child with a lewd request and sent her sexual images with the words "that's you soon". Police called in found Horn had indecent images on his phone, upon which he had put the girl's name.

Horn was released under investigation. But he contacted the girl again and left her messages in which he appeared to be performing a sex act on himself.

The victim made an impact statement in which she said the messages scared her and she couldn't understand Horn's conduct, which made her very angry. She said that, as a result of the abuse, she was unable to relax and felt anxious all the time.

She stated: "I always feel I am being watched when I close my eyes. I was always worried more messages would come through."

Ehsanul Oarith, defending, said: "There is no possible justification for what he's done. He does not suggest that he's innocent.

"He is not seeking to minimise what he has done or shift blame. There are underlying issues for distorted thinking."

Mr Oarith said his client had experienced trauma in his life including physical injury. He said Horn was a non-dependant cocaine user with a difficult mental health history.

Mr Oarith told the court: "He can address substance misuse and mental health issues, as well, to make sure when he comes out he a better man than when he went in. He will be on a very tight leash when he comes out."