Kids’ magician weeps in dock as he admits indecent child pic charges

AWELL-KNOWN children’s entertainer who warned kids of the dangers of drugs wept openly in the dock as he admitted a series of child porn and narcotics offences.

Mark Whincup, 50 – known as “Magic Mark” – stood with his head bowed and cried as he pleaded guilty to 20 charges at Mold Crown Court.

Judge Niclas Parry described it as a worrying case in view of what he had admitted in interview and the use of drugs.

The judge asked that Whincup’s future danger be assessed and remanded him in custody to be sentenced in January.

In addition to being a children’s entertainer and magician, Whincup, of Ebberston Road East, Rhos-on-Sea, Colwyn Bay, worked with Cais, the drug and alcohol agency, especially on a project entitled “Don’t Touch, Tell”, warning children of the dangers of needles.

Whincup, who first made a name for himself as a schoolboy, has appeared in local pantomimes, including those at Theatr Colwyn, and gave magic displays at children’s birthday parties and schools.

He had been due to appear for a preliminary hearing, but admitted a total of 20 charges – four of distributing indecent images of children, nine charges of making indecent images of children, one charge of possessing 117 indecent images, and one of possessing 743 indecent movie images.

He also admitted two charges of possessing extreme images depicting sex acts between people and animals, and three charges of supplying the class A drug methamphetamine, known as crystal meth.

All the offences occurred between January 2012 and July this year.

Ceri Evans, defending, said that her client had been in custody since his arrest on December 4 and she did not apply for bail.

She said that Whincup was aware of the sentencing guidelines for such offending, in particular the distribution offences, but asked that a pre-sentence report should be prepared. Judge Parry agreed.

“Having read what I have read, there should be careful consideration given to the assessment of dangerousness,” he said. “I know the prosecution will ensure that the probation service is given all the papers in the case, including the interview.

“I say no more at this stage but it is clearly a worrying aspect given what was said in interview, and the use of drugs.”

It was, he said, a sensitive case and he was grateful to prosecutor David Mainstone and to Miss Evans for the work which had been done to ensure that progress could be made.

Judge Parry said Whincup would receive maximum credit in sentencing for pleading guilty at such an early stage.

At the time of Whincup’s arrest police issued a statement in which they said there would be understandable public concern about the case.

“The defendant is a well-known local children’s entertainer who has worked across North Wales for years,” the police statement said.

It was understood the case would cause concern, however none of the images were obtained during the course of his work.

Police said that if anyone had concerns or wants further information they could phone North Wales Police on 101. For advice on how to combat child sexual exploitation visit themoreyouknow.org.uk, or for cyber crime visitnorth-wales.police.uk/ advice- and- support/ cybercrime/cyber-crime.aspx