MARTIN BUTLER FROM STEVENAGE SENTENCED FOR 1988 CORNWALL RAPE AND ABUSE CASES

In a significant development in cold case justice, Martin Butler, a 61-year-old man originally from Stevenage, has been sentenced to 11 years in prison for a heinous crime committed over three decades ago in Cornwall. The conviction follows a detailed trial held at Truro Crown Court in February, where Butler was found guilty of multiple counts of rape and buggery involving a young woman.

On Friday, April 21, during the sentencing hearing at Truro Crown Court, the court heard harrowing details of the incident that took place in August 1988. The victim recounted that she and Butler had visited his parents’ residence in the seaside village of Mevagissey. After spending the evening socializing in the village, they returned to the family home and went to bed. Later that night, the victim awoke to a terrifying scene: her hands were tied behind her back, and her legs were restrained. She further reported that Butler covered her mouth and nose with his hand, preventing her from breathing, as he committed the assault. The victim described feeling as if she was on the brink of death during the attack.

Following the assault, Butler released his grip and untied her arms. She managed to free herself and, in a state of distress, confronted him downstairs before retreating to the bedroom and barricading herself inside. Butler then left the property and did not return before she eventually left to go home a few days later. At the time, she believed she was his only victim and chose not to report the incident to authorities.

It was only in 2018 that she came forward, prompted by a social media post that suggested there might have been other victims. With the support of a friend, she contacted the police to report the assault. During the trial, two other women, who had previously been victims of Butler’s abuse but had cases discontinued elsewhere in the country, appeared as character witnesses for the prosecution. Their testimonies provided further insight into Butler’s pattern of predatory behavior.

The primary victim bravely took the stand and detailed how Butler had groomed her from the age of 14 or 15, when he was in his early 40s. She described a disturbing pattern of abuse, including being tied up for sex and having his hands around her neck. She recounted waking up to find him engaging in sexual acts with her. Another woman, also aged 14 or 15 at the time, testified that Butler had forced and violently raped her, often restraining her with ties and administering drugs to facilitate the abuse. Both women emphasized that Butler’s actions were characterized by force and manipulation, and they expressed relief that justice was finally being served after so many years.

Justice has been served for the victims, and Martin Butler’s lengthy prison sentence marks a significant step in addressing historical sexual abuse cases in Cornwall and beyond.