Middlesbrough man jailed for child sexual abuse after grooming teenager

At 41 years old, Martin Roberts from Cobblewood in the Thorntree area of Middlesbrough was convicted of committing a grave sexual offense involving an underage teenage boy. Roberts lured the minor to his house under the pretense of giving a spiritual reading, during which he supplied the boy with alcohol and cannabis. Afterward, Roberts engaged in sexual acts with the boy, which included encouraging a child to perform a sexual act, sexual activity in front of a minor, and other sexual contact. The victim, who suffered significant trauma, recounted feeling physical contact during showers and noted that the incident had profoundly impacted him. He shared, 'I can feel his hands on me, especially when I shower. The only way I can describe it is that he has traumatised me. I used to be extroverted, now I rarely leave the house.' The boy’s mother alerted authorities after her son confided in her about the abuse. Roberts initially denied the allegations but later admitted to the offences during court proceedings. He was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison after pleading guilty, and he was also subjected to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order along with a restraining order preventing any contact with the victim. The judge, David Kelly, criticized Roberts for betraying a trusting young person and for insisting on secrecy. Cleveland Police commented that Roberts' behavior was inexcusable and had exploited a minor, with his incarceration serving as a safeguard against future offenses. It was noted that Roberts had previous convictions for robbery, burglary, and a sexual assault on a woman in 2012. He will now be required to register as a sex offender under the law.