The girl, who is now an adult, claims the martial artist, who starred as a sorcerer in the 2016 Marvel movie, and her husband Victor Marke groomed her when she was 13.
- Apr 28, 2022
AceShowbiz - British actress Zara Phythian is accused of sex crimes along with her husband. The martial artist, who starred in 2016's Marvel film "Doctor Strange" along with Benedict Cumberbatch, and her husband Victor Marke allegedly had sex with a teen girl.
The girl, who is now an adult, claims Zara and Victor plied her with alcohol and repeatedly had sex with her between 2005 and 2008, when she was aged between 13 and 15. She also said they filmed some of the encounters in a bid to recreate pornographic scenes.
At Nottingham Crown Court, a police interview with the alleged victim was played to jurors in which she described details of the alleged sexual offences. She said the first offences happened after the couple, who was yet to be married at the time, gave her alcohol to drink and Zara tricked her into giving Victor oral sex. She said Zara had given Victor oral sex and dared the girl to join in.
"I knew it was wrong but I just didn't know how to get out of the situation or say anything," the alleged victim told cops, according to the Notthinghamshire Post. "I remember trying to copy Zara's reaction at the time because I looked up to her and tried to be like her in every way."
The child also felt like she was being "coached" by Zara to get better at the sexual activity. She said that Victor, a coach in martial arts and Taekwondo at a very high level, had sex with her about 20 times on different occasions.
In the couple's defense, Francis McGrath, an attorney who represents Victor, claimed the girl made the allegations while Zara was "at the height of her success." He said in court, "Throughout 2016, you would be aware from national media and social media posts, she (Zara Marke) was enjoying unprecedented personal and professional success in a motion picture starring Benedict Cumberbatch. On December 4, 2016, at the height of her success, you made a complaint."
The girl who now lives in Liverpool, however, denied this, telling the court "they are not linked." She also explained that she decided to come forward with the allegations because she felt she could not cope with "not saying anything anymore."
Victor faces four allegations of historic indecent assault on her. He is jointly charged with his wife of 14 allegations of sexual activity with a different girl. They have denied all allegations.
