EDWARD MARTIN OF BIRKENHEAD SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE IN WIRRAL AND KNOWSLEY

In August 2020, a disturbing case of child sexual abuse emerged involving Edward Martin, a man from Birkenhead, who committed heinous acts against a young girl during the 1970s in the areas of Wirral and Knowsley. The victim, now an adult woman, bravely came forward in 2017 after years of suffering in silence, revealing that Martin had groomed and sexually assaulted her when she was a child.

Martin, then in his twenties, engaged in a series of manipulative and abusive behaviors that left lasting scars on his victim. The court heard that he initially gained her trust by asking if she had ever kissed anyone, to which she responded negatively. He then proceeded to kiss her multiple times, including instances where he put his tongue in her mouth, sometimes in the presence of another child. The prosecutor, Gareth Roberts, detailed how the girl felt disgusted and believed she was to blame, fearing that if she told anyone, she would be blamed for the abuse.

Further into their interactions, Martin showed the girl pornographic magazines and asked her to read them aloud. He also exposed himself to her and groped her under her skirt, touching her private parts on separate occasions. The girl described feeling frozen during these assaults, and on one occasion, she refused to remove her clothes when ordered by Martin. His reaction was one of rage, and he ultimately raped her while she was crying and in pain. After the assault, he warned her not to tell anyone, further silencing her and prolonging her suffering.

When questioned by police, Martin denied any wrongdoing, claiming that the girl was fabricating her story and that nothing had happened. His denial added to the trauma experienced by the victim, who struggled with trust, forming relationships, and was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. Her life was marred by depression and alcohol abuse, and she became paranoid about men and their presence around her children. Despite this, she expressed hope that her abuser would seek help in the future.

Martin’s criminal history was clean prior to these charges. He pleaded guilty to multiple counts, including rape, three counts of indecent assault, and breach of bail. The court was told that his guilty pleas should be considered with some reduction due to his prolonging the witnesses’ suffering. Judge Neil Flewitt, QC, emphasized that Martin’s grooming began with seemingly innocent kisses, which he described as indecent assaults, and that the profound damage inflicted on the victim was undeniable.

In sentencing, Judge Flewitt stated that Martin was an offender of particular concern and sentenced him to 14 years and three months in prison, with an extended year on license. This means Martin will serve at least half of his sentence, approximately seven years, before being eligible to apply for parole. Additionally, he is required to register as a sex offender for life, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the lasting impact on his victim.