Rapist shouted abuse at court as he was jailed for 23 years

A man who carried out a “campaign” of rape against a primary-school-aged boy has been handed a 23-year extended sentence as a dangerous offender.

Mark Anthony Cain, 38, of Morden Road, Newport, was convicted at Cardiff Crown Court of four counts of raping a child under 13 – representing at least 22 separate rapes – and causing a child to watch a sexual act.

The warehouse worker carried out the abuse in the Vale of Glamorgan over a prolonged period. He also forced the boy to look at pornographic magazines and films.

The abuse was not reported at the time but came to light years later when the victim made disclosures following a routine medical appointment.

In a statement read to the court, the victim said for many years he had pushed what happened to him to the back of his mind but always felt like people “could see through me”. He said there was a “hole in the person” he was as an adult because of what the defendant did to him, and he felt Cain’s abuse had “taken some masculinity” away from him.

He added that he felt proud of himself for reporting the abuse and taking the case to court, and that the legal process had given him a “healthier mindset”.

Judge Celia Hughes told the defendant he had “regularly abused and degraded [the victim] at your will” and described his behaviour as “the calculating actions of a predatory man”.

The judge said she was satisfied that Cain was a dangerous offender and that an extended sentence was necessary to protect the public from him.

The defendant shouted abuse from the dock and described the case against him as “bullsh*t”.

Cain was sentenced to 20 years in custody followed by a three-year licence period. He must serve two-thirds of the custodial element before he can apply to be released, with the Parole Board determining if he is safe to be let out.

He will be a registered sex offender for the rest of his life and was made subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

Cain has eight previous convictions for 22 offences including indecent assault of a girl, sexual assault of a woman, and robbery.

Speaking after the sentencing, South Wales Police detective constable Ameila Lewis said: “The victim has shown immense bravery throughout. I hope that the outcome at court brings them some comfort that the offender has been brought to justice and that their bravery has helped protect the wider public from harm.”