MARTIN PAYTON FROM NEWTON-LE-WILL-WILLOWS JAILED FOR RAPE IN WARRINGTON

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community, Martin Payton, a 28-year-old man from Newton-le-Willows, has been sentenced to seven years in prison for the heinous crime of raping a 15-year-old girl in her own home in Warrington. The incident, which took place in May 2014, involved multiple violations of the young girl’s trust and safety, leaving lasting scars on her life.

According to court reports, Payton attended a party at the victim’s residence, where he had purchased alcohol at her request. The girl, who was in Year 10 at the time, consumed the alcohol and became heavily intoxicated. Witnesses and evidence indicated that she was so drunk that she vomited and passed out, necessitating her to go to bed to recover from the effects of alcohol. It was during this vulnerable state that the assault occurred.

In the early hours of the morning, the girl found herself in the same bed as Payton. She recalls that they began to kiss, but her memory of the events is described as ‘unclear and hazy’ due to her intoxication. Despite her impaired state, she remembers Payton beginning to touch her and engaging in sexual activity. She also recalls that he was on top of her during the encounter. When she woke up, she noticed her lower clothing had been removed, and there was blood on the sheets, which caused her to feel confused, upset, and distressed. She then went downstairs, still overwhelmed and crying.

Payton reportedly asked her if she wanted to have sex again, but she refused and went back to sleep. The following morning, around 5am, she woke up to find her lower clothing had again been removed. She was left with no memory of what had transpired during the night, but the court heard that it was highly likely that Payton had raped her while she was unconscious. The victim’s account was supported by medical and forensic evidence, which indicated that she had been assaulted while unable to consent.

Payton was subsequently arrested and initially admitted to having sex with the girl on two occasions. However, he claimed that the encounters were consensual and that he believed she was 16 years old. It was only on the first day of his trial earlier this year that he fully admitted to two counts of rape. During the court proceedings, a victim personal statement was read aloud, revealing that the girl was once an outgoing, sociable individual who attended school regularly and achieved good grades. Her teachers described her as polite and kind, expressing that they could not have wished for a better student.

However, the trauma of the assault profoundly affected her life. She described how her life ‘went off the rails’ after the incident, leading to her missing school, failing exams, and losing confidence and self-esteem. She began experiencing panic attacks, sleep disturbances, and symptoms of stress and anxiety. Her mental health deteriorated to the point where she turned to alcohol and drugs as a coping mechanism. The victim also expressed that Payton had ‘taken her childhood away from her,’ highlighting the profound and lasting impact of his actions.

Judge Tina Landale sentenced Martin Payton to a term of seven years in prison. In addition to his custodial sentence, he was issued an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and ordered to pay a victim surcharge. The court also determined that Payton would serve half of his sentence before being eligible for release on license, emphasizing the seriousness of his crimes and the need for ongoing supervision and protection of the community.