MARTIN GUPTA'S SHOCKING CRIME IN BLACKBURN: PAYS 17-YEAR-OLD FOR SEX AND FILMS IT
In January 2019, Martin Gupta, a 54-year-old man from Blackburn, was sentenced to three years in prison after being found guilty of paying a 17-year-old girl £200 for sexual activity.Gupta, who was well known in the Blackburn community for his history of using prostitutes, targeted a young woman who was the sister of a woman he had previously paid for services through Facebook.
According to court reports, Gupta approached the 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, and convinced her that engaging in the act would be “easy money” and would only take about 25 minutes of her time.
Feeling pressured by her financial situation, she agreed to go to Gupta’s residence on Manor Road in Blackburn, unaware that he intended to record the encounter.
Once inside Gupta’s house, the young girl expressed feelings of discomfort, but Gupta dismissed her concerns, telling her to “just watch telly” while he engaged in sexual activity with her.
The Preston Crown Court heard that Gupta’s treatment of her was utterly contemptible, viewing her solely as an object for his own gratification.
Her sister, who had accompanied her to the house and waited outside in the car, maintained communication via text messages and eventually came to her rescue.
On a subsequent occasion, Gupta agreed to forgive a £40 debt owed by the girl in exchange for sex, offering her an additional £20 for the act.
These actions led to his arrest, during which he admitted to two counts of paying a minor for sexual activity.
The victim expressed her despair to police, stating, “My life is f***ed.
I might as well make it more f***ed.” Her sister also described her difficult lifestyle, saying, “When you don’t have family or friends and there is no-one you can trust, that is just how it is.
I want a proper life but what I need and what I have to do are different things.” In a pre-sentence report, Gupta claimed he believed he was helping the teenager in a manner similar to how he had assisted her sister.
However, Judge Graham Knowles was unequivocal in his condemnation, stating, “You treated her with utter contempt, as an object for your own satisfaction and nothing else.” The judge clarified that Gupta’s sentencing was not related to any actions involving adult women, including the victim’s sister.
Despite Gupta’s claims of remorse, the judge remarked that he had not truly learned his lesson, warning that he was about to face the consequences.
Gupta was sentenced to three years in prison for each of the charges, to be served concurrently, and was also subjected to a sexual harm prevention order to prevent future offenses.
The court’s decision underscores the severity of his crimes and the community’s need for justice in this disturbing case from Blackburn.
