MARTIN FAWCETT SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT IN CROWLAND NEAR PETERBOROUGH

In a recent and serious case of sexual misconduct, Martin Fawcett, a 55-year-old resident of Cluttons Close in Crowland, near Peterborough, has been sentenced to six and a half years in prison for the sexual assault of a girl under the age of 13. The conviction follows a trial at Lincoln Crown Court, where Fawcett was found guilty in December 2022 of the heinous act.

Fawcett’s criminal history is marked by prior convictions related to sexual offenses. In 2005, he was convicted of engaging in sexual activity in front of a child, and in 2009, he was convicted of exposure. These previous convictions underscore a troubling pattern of behavior that has persisted over the years.

The recent sentencing also addressed Fawcett’s breach of a court-imposed interim sexual harm prevention order. Specifically, he failed to allow police officers access to his residence, an act that further demonstrated his disregard for legal restrictions and the safety of others. Judge Catarina Sjolin Knight, presiding over the case, described Fawcett’s conduct as “cynical and manipulative,” emphasizing the calculated nature of his actions.

During the trial, Fawcett chose not to give evidence, a decision that did not influence the court’s judgment. As part of his sentencing, he was subjected to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and a restraining order that explicitly prohibits any contact with the victim and her family. The judge highlighted the lasting impact of Fawcett’s actions, noting that the victim continues to harbor distrust towards men as a direct result of his abuse.

Addressing Fawcett directly, Judge Sjolin Knight remarked that he had shown no remorse, pointing out that he had been shaking his head during her sentencing remarks. The court also heard an impact statement from the victim’s father, Denney Lau, who expressed deep concerns about his daughter’s future well-being. Lau revealed fears that his daughter might suffer further trauma as she grows older and shared that the family had been compelled to relocate due to the assault, illustrating the profound and lasting effects of Fawcett’s actions on the victim and her loved ones.