Northampton man jailed for disturbing child abuse offenses

A man has been sentenced to prison after being found guilty of multiple serious sexual offences involving young girls. Martin Prior, aged 36 and of Crestline Court, Northampton, was convicted at Northampton Crown Court of seven offences, including the sexual assault of a girl under the age of 13 and causing or inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity. The court sentenced Prior to nine years in prison, with the condition that he must serve at least two-thirds of the sentence before being eligible for parole. Northamptonshire Police's Detective Constable Laura Beeby described Prior as a 'sexual predator' who targeted children for his own sexual gratification. The offences occurred during the mid to late 2000s but only came to light in 2020 when the victims disclosed the abuse during an unrelated investigation. The police identified at least three victims during the inquiry. Although Prior was charged with one count of rape of a girl under 13, six counts of sexual assault on a girl under 13, one count of assault on a female, and inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity, he was found not guilty of the rape and assault charges but convicted of the remaining seven offences. Additionally, he was given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will remain on the sex offenders register indefinitely. Detective Constable Beeby emphasized the lasting harm caused to the victims and praised their courage in coming forward. She stated, “All of these children were vulnerable due to their age, and the repeated abuse Prior subjected them to has caused them significant and lasting harm and distress. The courage in finally revealing Prior's abhorrent offending cannot be overstated. The only shame and guilt in a case like this lies with the offender, and I hope this outcome can provide some small comfort to the survivors as they continue to heal.”