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Mandurah: child sex accused Mark Wesley Liggins has sentencing deferred again

Rachel FennerMandurah Coastal Times

MARK Wesley Liggins (47), one of eight men arrested as part of Perth’s paedophile ring in July 2015, had sentencing put off once again today (March 16).

In Perth District Court, counsel for the accused, Patty Chong, said Liggins’ daughter is unable to care for herself due to the cancer treatment she is currently undergoing.

She said Ms Liggins is in a brace and has to spend the next two months laying flat in bed.

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Liggins is the only family member able to care for the 17-year-old as his mother also has cancer.

Judge Mark Herron said under the circumstances it would be appropriate for the case to be adjourned.

“In part to allow the medical prognosis of Mr Liggin’s daughter to become clearer,” he said.

Ms Chong said Liggins cannot afford private care for his daughter, because he could not continue running his home handyman business after he was charged.

This is the third time Liggins has been listed for sentencing since he was charged last June.

He later pleaded guilty to nine charges including using electronic communication to procure a person under the age of 16 to engage in sexual activity and exposing a child to indecent matter.

The case was first remanded in December 2015 to enable Liggins to assist in the prosecution of the girl’s father.

In January, sentencing was remanded so Liggins could care for his daughter.

Liggins was arrested as part of an investigation into a paedophile ring in which a 13-year-old girl was sold for sex.

However, Ms Chong claimed in December that Liggins charges were not connected to the paedophile ring.

On that occasion, Ms Chong said Liggins had been subject to death threats.

The girl’s father pleaded guilty to 228 charges and is due to be sentenced in April.

Police alleged the father advertised his daughter on adult websites from when she turned 11.

They allege she had pornographic photos taken of her and that she was raped, molested, and drugged over a two year period.