LEE MARTIN FROM BLACKPOOL EXPOSED AS PAEDOPHILE AFTER POLICE DISCOVERY
In February 2022, a disturbing revelation unfolded in Blackpool when a woman discovered that her new partner, Lee Martin, was a convicted paedophile only after police officers arrived at her home seeking him out.The woman, who had recently entered into a relationship with Martin, was initially unaware of his criminal past, believing him to be a caring and loving individual.
Lee Martin, aged 32, had previously served a five-year prison sentence for a serious sexual assault committed on a child a decade earlier.
Following his release, he was subjected to strict conditions designed to prevent him from having any unsupervised contact with children under the age of 16 unless explicitly approved by social services and with the knowledge of the child's parents.
Despite these restrictions, Martin’s true background remained concealed from the woman.
In November of the previous year, Lancashire Police officers visited Martin’s residence located in Claremont Court, Blackpool, to conduct a routine check.
At the time, Martin was not at his address, and a neighbour informed the officers that he was residing with a woman and her children at a different location within Blackpool.
When the police arrived at that second address, they found Martin sitting in a parked car outside the property, claiming he was sleeping rough.
It was later revealed that Martin had been living with the woman and her children for several weeks, a fact he admitted during police questioning.
The woman recounted to authorities that she had been in a relationship with Martin, who occasionally stayed at her home.
She explained that after her flat was severely damaged in a fire, she allowed him to move in.
She insisted she had no knowledge of his sordid past at the time.
“The day I met him I had no idea he was a sex offender.
He came across as very loving and caring,” she told the court.
She also described how Martin had asked intrusive questions about her children and their fathers, which made her wary of male friends and family members, including her child's father.
She admitted to pushing people away because of her relationship with Martin.
As their relationship progressed rapidly, Martin proposed marriage and expressed a desire to have a child with her.
He also sought to take on a parental role for her children, often taking them to school or shopping to give her some respite.
The woman said she believed her children needed a father figure, and she felt her dreams were coming true.
However, her perception was shattered when she learned the truth about Martin’s criminal history.
Prosecutor Rachel Woods clarified that there was no evidence to suggest any physical harm had been inflicted upon the children while in Martin’s care.
Nonetheless, Martin had violated the terms of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) by spending time with the young family, which was a breach of the restrictions imposed upon him.
The woman expressed her feelings of betrayal, stating, “I feel Lee saw me as an easy target.
I was a single mum with no family around.
I feel like he took advantage of me.
I feel like I was brainwashed and always think what he could have done to them if I had allowed him more access.” Martin pleaded guilty to breaching the SHPO and two additional violations of notification requirements, which mandated him to inform police of any change of address.
He appeared via videolink at Preston Crown Court to face sentencing.
Recorder Jones, delivering the sentence, condemned Martin’s actions, saying, “You duped this woman in every way.
You gave her the impression of being a caring and decent individual who would look after her and her children.
I stress that no harm of a physical nature came to them.
Had that been the case, you would be here for more serious matters.
The degree of breach of trust is best summarized by the fact you wished to become their stepfather.
Their trust has been completely destroyed by your lies and manipulation.
Your intentions may have been genuine, but you did not give them the truth they deserved.”
