LOFTUS SEX OFFENDER MARTIN GREENWOOD SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE IMAGES

In April 2017, a serious case involving a sex offender from Loftus drew significant attention from local authorities and the community. Martin Greenwood, aged 27, was found to have been involved in the possession and distribution of illegal images depicting children, prompting a police investigation that ultimately led to his arrest and prosecution.

Police officers seized Greenwood’s laptop after receiving credible information linking him to the online access and download of child abuse images. An examination of his device revealed that he possessed a total of 138 images, which included both still photographs and moving pictures. Among these, 37 images were classified at the most serious level under law, with one depicting a two-year-old child. The remaining images featured children as young as 18 months old, highlighting the disturbing nature of the material Greenwood had accessed.

Greenwood, who resides on Coronation Road in Loftus, admitted to three charges of making indecent images of children. During his court appearance, he explained that he had accessed these images through adult pornography websites, suggesting a possible attempt to rationalize or diminish the severity of his actions. This was Greenwood’s first conviction related to such offenses, but the impact on his personal life was profound. The conviction resulted in the end of his relationship and the loss of contact with his young child, emphasizing the far-reaching consequences of his actions.

Judge Peter Armstrong addressed the court and the defendant, commenting on the relatively small number of images involved. He noted that, in many similar cases, the number of images can reach into the hundreds or thousands. The judge expressed hope that Greenwood’s limited collection indicated that this was not his primary interest and that, with appropriate intervention, his distorted thinking could be addressed before further harm occurs.

Judge Armstrong emphasized the importance of understanding that viewing such images constitutes a form of child abuse. He explained that the existence and viewing of these images directly contribute to the ongoing abuse and exploitation of children, as such material fuels demand and perpetuates the cycle of abuse. The judge made it clear that every instance of viewing these images is a child being harmed, emphasizing that this is not merely a past issue but an ongoing concern involving children who are only toddlers or babies.

As part of his sentence, Greenwood was given an eight-month prison term, which was suspended for two years. Additionally, he was ordered to complete 30 days of rehabilitation activities aimed at addressing his behavior. To further prevent future offenses, Greenwood was subject to a sexual harm prevention order that restricts his use of the internet and storage media. He will also be required to register as a sex offender for the next ten years, ensuring ongoing monitoring and community safety.