A married couple who sexually abused a teenage girl have been jailed.

Zara and Victor Marke, both well-known figures in the martial arts community, abused the girl on multiple occasions over a number of years.

Their activities were uncovered during a separate Nottinghamshire Police investigation into abuse against another girl who had approached officers in 2016 to explain how Victor Marke had sexually abused her in the past.

His wife, who previously worked as an actress and stuntwoman, was also implicated when the second victim came forward during the course of the initial investigation.

Both victims, who are now adults, became the focus of an extensive investigation by specialist child abuse detectives at Nottinghamshire Police who worked to build a compelling case against the Markes.

The pair denied all allegations against them but were convicted of a string of sexual offences on Wedensady (11 May) by a jury at Nottingham Crown Court.

Victor Marke, aged 59, of Mavis Avenue, Ravenshead, was found guilty of 14 counts of sexual activity with a child in relation to one victim, and four counts of indecent assault against the other.

Zara Marke, aged 37, of Taurus Close, Mansfield, was found guilty of 14 counts of sexual activity with a child.

Appearing at the same venue today (Monday) both were jailed.

Victor Marke was jailed for 14 years.

Zara Marke, formerly known as Zara Phythian, was jailed for eight years.

Detective Inspector Parminder Dhillon, senior investigating officer, said: “Today’s events mark the end of a very long and challenging legal process for the victims and their families.

“Although these sentences can’t undo the very considerable harm done to the young women at the centre of this case, I do hope that they offer at least some degree of comfort.

“The Markes worked together to exploit and abuse a girl for their own sexual gratification. In doing so they committed some of the most serious offences that can be committed against children and have rightfully been handed very considerable jail sentences.

“I hope this case serves as a timely reminder to all victims of sexual abuse. If you come forward and tell us what happened to you, we will investigate and we will get to the truth.”

Nottinghamshire Police is joining forces across the country by taking part in Operation Sceptre, a national week of action designed to challenge and reduce the threat of knife crime across the Gedling borough area. 

In support of the week of action, members of the public will be able to play their part to help stop weapons falling into the wrong hands by putting unwanted knives in amnesty bins sited in police stations and shared locations in the city and county.

People can deposit their knives without fear of prosecution during the week. Weapons handed in will be destroyed.

A bin will be located at Oxclose Lane in Arnold.

Members of the public are advised to check the opening times of amnesty bin locations before they travel.

The force’s dedicated knife crime and Operation Reacher teams will also be deployed during the week of action as they continue their work to deter offenders and keep people safe.

Knife crime in Nottinghamshire fell by eight per cent in the year end to December 2021 and also by 10 per cent during the previous year, exceeding the national and regional reductions of nine per cent and six per cent respectively for 2020.

Official figures also show that knife crime dropped in Nottinghamshire before the Covid-19 pandemic, with a reduction of eight per cent in the year end to December 2019, bucking the national and regional trend (seven per cent rise nationally and 13 per cent rise regionally).

Superintendent Kathryn Craner, Nottinghamshire Police’s knife crime lead, said: “I’m pleased at how successful our partnership approach has proved to be, however I want to reassure people that we remain totally committed to driving down knife crime.

“We know how devastating just one knife crime incident can be for everyone involved, as well as the wider community.

“That’s why we treat it so seriously and continue to do everything in our power to keep people safe as well as taking robust action against those who choose to carry knives and use them to harm others.”

A major part in the collaborative effort to prevent knife crime is Nottinghamshire’s Violence Reduction Unit – a multi-agency partnership focused on breaking the cycle of violence.

Among its methods to reduce crime are working with and supporting young people and using early intervention, including education, mentorship and diversionary initiatives, before violence such as knife crime has a chance to take hold.

Natalie Baker-Swift, head of the Violence Reduction Unit, said: “Operation Sceptre presents us with another opportunity to build awareness in our communities of the perils of carrying weapons and focus the public’s attention on the work being undertaken all year round to make our streets and the public safe.

“Reducing violence is a team effort and we work very closely with Nottinghamshire Police to deliver a whole system approach, complementing enforcement techniques with preventative interventions that help young people overcome trauma and educate them on choice.

“The Violence Reduction Unit recently received confirmation of a three-year funding deal worth £3.5million which will make a huge difference to our work and the efforts of the force and our wider partners.

“Sustainability is vital if we are to continue to achieve measurable change in the lives of the young people we support and mentor and achieve safer communities in the long-term.”

As part of its ongoing efforts to stop knives from falling into the wrong hands, Nottinghamshire Police is also reminding people of legislation under The Offensive Weapons Act 2019 – meaning it is now illegal to have certain types of knives and other items even at home in private, as well as it being an offence to carry them in public.

Some of the weapons now covered by the laws include zombie knives, flick knives, butterfly knives, swords, throwing stars, knuckledusters and telescopic truncheons.

The force has also welcomed new laws, brought about by the same act, making it harder for people to buy dangerous weapons and become involved in knife crime.

Changes to legislation, brought about last month, mean it is now more difficult for people to buy weapons, both at the point of sale and delivery, in order to protect and safeguard people.

Retailers and couriers are now legally obliged to do more to ensure that knives, corrosives and other offensive weapons are not sold or delivered to those under the age of 18. The new restrictions also mean it is an offence to possess a corrosive substance in a public place.

Anyone with information on knife crime in their local community is urged to call Nottinghamshire Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. In an emergency, always dial 999.