MARTIN ALCOCK OF COLNE SENTENCED TO SIX YEARS FOR CHILD MOLESTATION AND PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSES

In December 2014, a disturbing case emerged involving Martin Alcock, a resident of Burran Meadow in Colne, who was convicted of heinous crimes against a seven-year-old girl. The incident took place during a period when Alcock was entrusted with babysitting the young victim, an experience that would later reveal a pattern of sexual misconduct and exploitation.

Prosecutors detailed that the young girl initially kept her ordeal secret, suffering in silence after the abuse. It was only later that she confided in her grandmother, revealing that she had a 'big secret.' The girl disclosed that while she was under Alcock’s supervision, he had asked her if she wanted to be his girlfriend, a question that clearly indicated inappropriate behavior. When her grandmother pressed her further for details, the child produced a note indicating she had been sexually assaulted by Alcock, confirming her fears and suspicions.

Martin Alcock, aged 34 at the time, denied the charges of sexual assault by penetration and two counts of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child. Despite his denials, the evidence presented during the trial led to his conviction. Judge Andrew Woolman sentenced Alcock to six years in prison and ordered him to register as a sex offender for life, emphasizing the severity of his crimes and the need for ongoing monitoring.

The prosecution, led by Jacob Dyer, explained that the abuse occurred while Alcock was watching adult pornography on his television, which was accessed via a laptop computer. The court heard that Alcock had asked the girl if she wanted to be his girlfriend, but she responded by telling him to leave her alone. Following the incident, Alcock instructed the girl not to tell anyone about what had happened, a plea that underscored his attempt to conceal his misconduct.

Alcock was later arrested, during which he suggested that the girl might have accidentally seen inappropriate 'pop-up' advertisements on the TV, claiming he watched pornography on his laptop but believed any explicit images would have been quickly dismissed. He maintained his innocence, denying any molestation of the girl. However, the evidence indicated that Alcock had engaged in multiple instances of forcing the girl to watch pornography during 2012, with the prosecution arguing that his actions were deliberate and that he derived sexual gratification from these acts.

The court found that the charges related to a series of occasions where Alcock had exploited the young girl, and his behavior was deemed intentional and predatory. The conviction underscores the importance of protecting children from such predatory behavior and highlights the serious consequences faced by offenders like Alcock in the community of Colne.