MARTIN IRWIN OF SOUTHEND, ESSEX, SENTENCED TO 17 YEARS FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN KENT

In April 2012, Martin Irwin, now residing in Southend, Essex, was sentenced to 17 years in prison for a series of historic sexual offences against young girls. Irwin, originally from Gravesend and living on Cobham Street, was described by Canterbury Crown Court Judge Simon James as a "significant" danger to children present in the community.

The court heard that Irwin, 46 years old at the time of sentencing, committed the abuse over a period spanning from 1990. He was convicted of five counts of indecent assault, four counts of indecent assault on a child under 13 involving penetration, one count of indecent assault on a child under 13, and two charges of sexual activity with a child.

During the sentencing, Judge James addressed Irwin directly, stating: "You moved from victim to victim. You have shown absolutely no remorse or any insight into the pain and suffering you have caused. You stole their innocence over a systematic and planned abuse causing emotional scars that may never heal. I can only hope some relief will be found by your victims now."

Irwin stood in the dock without emotion as the judge emphasized, "You are a man who poses a significant risk of serious harm. You accept no responsibility for your offending whatsoever. You currently pose a danger to children."

Prosecutor Heather Stangoe revealed that Irwin's victims only came forward after years of silence and reported their abuse to police.

Judge James also ruled that Irwin will be unable to work with children again and ordered him to register as a sex offender.

The court considered the time Irwin served in custody on remand—347 days—and deducted this from his total sentence. He is set to serve half of his 17-year sentence before being eligible for parole.

The jury convicted Irwin of the 12 charges after a trial held last month, though he was acquitted of two charges: taking an indecent picture of a child and one charge of sexual activity with a child.