Dr Strange actor jailed for eight years for child sex offences

Marvel actress Zara Phythian, who appeared in Dr Strange, has been jailed for eight years for horrific child sex offences.

The actor appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on Monday after she was found guilty by a jury of the historical sexual abuse of a girl who was aged between 13 and 15.

Phythian's husband Victor Marke, 59, was sentenced to 14 years' imprisonment. He is charged for jointly abusing the same victim, as well as the indecent assault of a second girl.

Both will now sign the sex offenders' register for life, and will be referred to the disclosure and barring service to prevent them working with children ever again. After their remand into custody last week following their guilty verdicts, the couple was brought into the dock together for their sentencing on Monday morning.

Marke cried as he saw people in the public gallery and paced around the dock in a tracksuit. Phythian took a seat and looked towards her restless husband. She smiled as she waved to someone in the public gallery.

Passing sentence, 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 of Mavis Avenue, Ravenshead: "I regard you as the driving force behind the abuse.

"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]," he said.

"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."