At Foston Hall Prison in Derbyshire, Phythian is serving out her prison sentence. Former inmates of the institution include Karen Matthews, a mother who faked the kidnapping of her own daughter, and Maxine Carr, who was nicknamed “the most loathed woman in Britain” when she covered up for killer Ian Huntley.

She is managing fairly well, according to Phythian’s father Andy, who pays his daughter two visits every month, who spoke to The Mirror. She is now enrolled in a course for industrial cleaning.

“If you performed it outside, the certification would cost you £5,000,” the person said.

A limited few are chosen to represent their good conduct.

I’m hoping it will be useful after she leaves.

Marke, the husband of Phythian, was given a 14-year prison sentence for both the same victim’s abuse and an additional girl’s indecent assault.

The Nottinghamshire couple was found responsible for 14 charges of sexual activity in total.

The youngster was given rum by martial arts and Taekwondo “master” Marke before being forced to execute a sex act on her companion, according to testimony given in court.

Over a three-year period beginning in 2005, he and Phythian would maltreat the girl at their home “once or twice a month.”

‘She’s got a job in the gym where she trains and teaches yoga and self-defence ­classes.

‘New inmates who don’t know her think she works with the prison, but she has to explain to them that she is a prisoner herself.

‘I think it is the polite way she talks and comes over as educated.’

Mr Phythian said his daughter is looking to complete a sports science degree from the prison at the end of the month.

He added that the actress had a lot of grief’ when she first entered the prison, causing her to be put in isolation ‘for her own safety but said this has stopped now.

The victim, who cannot be named, earlier this year described the couple as ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ characters and said Marke threatened her while ordering her to film the abuse.

After her sentence was passed in May, members of Phythian’s family shouted ‘we love you Zara’ to which she responded: ‘I’m innocent, I love you all.’

Marke could be heard sobbing uncontrollably as he arrived in the court room to hear his fate.

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Sentencing, Judge Mark Watson said at the time: ‘It has been said that both of you present as impressive individuals, each with a long list of accomplishments.

‘You, Victor Marke, were somebody your students looked up to. You Zara Marke were also someone that was looked up to by those you taught.

‘Most people have held you in high esteem. That is why you were able to groom the victims in this case and get away with it for so long.

‘You groomed her and there was a significant disparity in your ages.

‘Both of you exposed her to sex acts. You showed her how you liked it and she described it as a ‘very advanced, dirty, naughty side’.

‘She said ‘God I’ve done everything and I’m not even 16 yet.’

‘At the time she was already vulnerable, in the sense she was young and had not gone through puberty.

‘Much of the sexual behavior was video recorded.

‘Victor Marke, I describe you as the driving force behind the abuse. The sex act that did take place would end when you had fulfilled your needs.

‘You were also the older part and occupied a higher status in the world of martial arts.

‘Both you and Zara Marke were immersed in that regime, everyone was all too aware of the pecking order – you were at the top.

‘Each of you shares responsibility. You’re offending involved multiple types of sex acts and more importantly, you offended together.

‘I have to deal with you both for a course of offending that lasted three years. I do take account of your good character but this may be of limited value.

‘There will be no chance for either of you to see the other, which will cause some distress. ‘

Addressing Phythian, the judge said: ‘The sentence in your case will be shorter.

‘There was one victim and you were younger at the time and I do not view you as the driving force behind this.

‘You were besotted with Victor Marke. I am in no doubt your deviance was shaped by him.

‘You had been the focus of his attention. Your relationship started at a time when you were young.

‘None of this excuses what you did, you may have done them to fulfill Victor Marke’s urges but you still chose to play your part. ‘

Jurors heard how the teen would regularly stay with the pair at their home when the abuse started.

She told police how she was given rum before being asked by Zara – also a martial arts expert – if she wanted to play ‘dares’.

The actress then began performing a sex act on her husband before asking the victim to do the same.

The girl claimed he then ‘took it in turns to have sex with them both.

She told officers the abuse continued until she turned 18 and included Victor asking her to record him and Zara.

The girl said he also filmed the abuse, telling the court it was an attempt to re-create the pornography the couple watched.

Giving evidence during the trial, the victim told the jury: ‘I knew it was wrong, but I did not know how to get out of the situation, or say anything.

‘I just did whatever they asked me to do. They made it seem like I was some naughty kid and they were helping me out.

‘I just felt like there was no way out. They told me not to say anything.’

The court was told Victor used his position of trust to ‘satisfy his sexual urges’ alongside his wife.

She was described as a ‘major personality who was ‘enjoying unprecedented personal and professional success after her role in the Marvel film Doctor Strange.

Ahmed Hossain QC, prosecuting, said during the trial: ‘Both of those defendants commanded admiration and respect within the martial arts world.

‘Victor Marke groomed these two separate complainants when they were children and he used his position of trust and authority to make them feel special so that he could satisfy his sexual urges.’

The court was told Zara, who uses the stage name Phythian, branded the allegations ‘bulls**t’ when she was quizzed by police.

She said: ‘They [the claims] are untrue. She has lied to me all the time I have known her.

‘I am not a pedophile or a rapist. Nor is Vic.’

The actress revealed in the police interviews her husband claimed he had ‘consensual’ sex with the girl only after she turned 18.

Phythian said she felt ‘confused’ and ‘would like to have known about it’.

She also admitted she owned a sex toy ‘collection’ during questioning after the victim claimed aids were used on her.

Nicole Hepburn, from the CPS, said after the case: ‘This was an appalling case of exploiting a position of trust and respect to gain sexual gratification.

‘Victor Marke ruthlessly took advantage of the age and vulnerability of these girls, as well as his status as an admired coach.

‘He made them feel special and listened to and then abused them. Zara Marke similarly exploited her position to perpetrate child abuse.

‘Both defendants have denied their actions, instead blaming the victims and accusing them of lying.

‘Thanks to their evidence, given clearly and credibly in court, the Markes themselves have been exposed as the true liars.

‘It does take courage to stand up to your abusers and give evidence in this way and I would like to express my respect and gratitude to the survivors for everything they have done to ensure the Markes are held responsible for their criminal actions.

‘This abuse may have occurred some years ago, but that makes it no less serious, and nor is it a barrier to justice.

‘I would encourage anyone who has been abused in the past to come forward with the knowledge that the CPS will take your case seriously.’