Disgraced ex-aide to Blair and Major jailed for raping teenager at Festival

0 Mark Adams had denied a rape charge but, after being found guilty, now ‘accepts that what he did amounted to rape’ according to his QC. He was jailed for seven years A disgraced former aide to prime ministers Tony Blair and Sir John Major has been jailed for seven years for raping a 19-year-old woman at the Edinburgh Festival.

Divorced father-of-four Mark Adams, 56, raped his victim while she slept on the floor of his camper van on 10 August 2017.

The conviction is his second for rape. He was jailed for seven years at Woolwich Crown Court in January.

At the High Court in Glasgow judge Lord Armstrong ordered Adams serve his latest sentence after the seven years he is currently serving.

The court heard that Adams, who forced his victim to relive her ordeal in court, now accepts he raped her.

Lordarmstrongtoldadams: “You took advantage of a vulnerable woman in a calculated and manipulative manner when she was alone and making her way through the streets of Edinburgh.

“You are 56. You have expressed remorse. I may say, however, that is more than justified. A victim impact statement makes it clear your actions have had a devastating and detrimental effect on her.

“The crime of rape is a grave one from which women should be protected.”

Adams’ latest rape victim had fallen asleep in his van only to wake up and find Adams having sex with her.

Businessman Adams was jailed in England in January for raping a 24-year-old woman as she slept at his house near Blackheath, south-east London in 2015 on the morning after the general election.

The former civil servant claimed during the trial he had consensual sex with the Edinburgh teenager after she returned from a night out.

But defence QC Gary Allan said: “Mr Adams has reflected on the evidence and he now accepts that whatever his thoughts at the time, whatever his view of the event, he now accepts that what he did amounted to rape.”

Cambridge graduate Adams worked for the government for six years during the 1990s and served as a private secretary to both Mr Blair and Sir John, was awarded an OBE in 1997.

Adams was also convicted of sexual assault in a Welsh court last year. He offered a barmaid £300 to spend the night with him and told her: That’s a lot of money to you isn’t it.” When she said “no” Adams increased his offer to £400.

After leaving the Civil Service, Adams set up a public affairs agency. In recent years he acted as a lobbyist and held roles including chairman of the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry and of the Professional Lobbying Company. He also advised the Apprentice winner Michelle Dewberry as she attempted to become an MP.