Doctor Strange actress Zara Phythian has been jailed for eight years for historic sex abuse.
The 38-year-old appeared at Nottingham Crown Court after she was found guilty of the historical sexual abuse of a girl who was aged between 13 and 15.
The Marvel actress’ husband Victor Marke, 59, was sentenced to 14 years in prison for abusing the same victim, as well as the indecent assault of a second girl.
Phythian, who played Brunette Zealot in Doctor Strange, gave the victim rum and asked her if she wanted to “play dare” with her husband.
It was said that Marke then had sex with the schoolgirl around 20 times on different occasions.
(Image: Getty Images)
It has been said that the married couple, who got together around Phythian’s 20th birthday, would abuse the girl “once or twice a month” over a three year period from 2005.
Last Thursday (May 12), the BBC reported that the now-adult victims reported the abuse to police years after it happened.
This victim said in a recorded police interview: “I think they saw a vulnerability in me and preyed on that.”
Ahead of their sentencing, prosecutor Ahmed Hossain QC read out the victim statements.
The victim that the married couple jointly abused heartbreakingly revealed the pair “robbed” her of her innocence and “corrupted” her development.
The girl claimed Marke “took it in turns” to have sex with them both and told officers the abuse continued until she turned 18.
She said: “I have become an adult now. All the pain, anger and disgust and shame I felt is now on you. Both of you”.
(Image: Can Nguyen/REX/Shutterstock)
In court, Judge Mark Watson told the couple that he believed the start of the sexual abuse of the joint victim had been pre-planned.
The judge told Marke: “I regard you as the driving force behind the abuse. You were clearly aware of the first incident but pretended to be asleep. This could only have been a ruse agreed in advance.”
He said: “Most people have held, and continue to hold you in high esteem. That’s due to the positive impact of your work [as martial arts instructors].
“Whilst that may help in mitigation, that is also why you were able to groom and corrupt the victims in this case and why you got away abusing them for so long.”
The judge also said: “Both of you exposed her to sex acts. You showed her how you liked it and she described it as a ‘very advanced, dirty, naughty side’.”
(Image: Getty Images Europe)
He explained that their victim hadn’t hit puberty yet and revealed “much of the sexual behaviour” was video recorded.
The judge explained that Phythian’s sentence is shorter because he believes she was “besotted” by her husband and her “deviance” was shaped by him from an early age.
“You had been the focus of his attentions. Your relationship started at a time when you were young.
“None of this excuses what you did, you may have done them to fulfill Victor Marke’s urges but you still chose to play your part.”
Despite both denying the accusations against them, Phythian was found guilty of 14 sexual offenses while Marke was found guilty of 18 counts of sexual abuse.
After she received her sentence, members of Phythian’s family shouted “we love you Zara” to which she responded: “I’m innocent, I love you all.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
