MARTIN SMITH FROM NORTH SHIELDS TO BE EVICTED AFTER CHILD PORNOGRAPHY CONVICTION IN NORTH TYNESIDE
| Red Rose Database
North Shields Child Sexual Abuser
In a significant development stemming from his criminal activities, Martin Smith, a resident of North Shields, is set to be forcibly removed from his residence following a court order granted by North Tyneside authorities. The decision comes after Smith, aged 57, was convicted of serious offenses related to the possession and distribution of child abuse images, which has led to his eviction from his home on Aldwych Drive in North Shields.
Back in August 2014, Smith was sentenced to eight months in prison after admitting to viewing graphic indecent images, some depicting children as young as eight years old. He served approximately half of his sentence in Durham jail before being released just before Christmas. His criminal record includes 10 counts of creating indecent images of a child and one count of possessing such images, with a total of 492 images found on his computer.
During his trial at Newcastle Crown Court in July, Smith, who used the pseudonym 'Statto' to write stories involving the abuse of children as young as ten, claimed that his actions were driven by a desire to escape reality during a difficult period in his life, specifically while his wife was terminally ill. Despite his claims, the court found him guilty of the charges, and the severity of his offenses was underscored by the nature of the evidence presented.
North Tyneside Council, citing the seriousness of Smith’s crimes, moved swiftly to seek his eviction. The council was granted a possession order by Judge James Richardson at North Tyneside County Court, who described Smith’s breach of tenancy conditions as a “gross breach” of community standards. The judge emphasized that local authorities have a responsibility to uphold reasonable behavioral standards within their communities, especially when serious criminal conduct is involved.
Judge Richardson stated, “Councils expect – and seek to impress by tenancy conditions – reasonable community standards of behaviour, for the benefit of the tenancy population as a whole. Smith has been convicted of serious offences of downloading child pornography and the council take the view that it is a gross breach of those obligations – and I agree with the council.” He further explained that balancing individual tenant rights with the welfare of the broader community is a key consideration in such cases.
In addition to the eviction, Smith was ordered to pay £244.50 in council costs. Although he was not present during the court proceedings, he is expected to receive eviction papers within 28 days. The case underscores the ongoing efforts by local authorities to address the impact of criminal behavior on community safety and standards, especially in cases involving the exploitation of children.
Back in August 2014, Smith was sentenced to eight months in prison after admitting to viewing graphic indecent images, some depicting children as young as eight years old. He served approximately half of his sentence in Durham jail before being released just before Christmas. His criminal record includes 10 counts of creating indecent images of a child and one count of possessing such images, with a total of 492 images found on his computer.
During his trial at Newcastle Crown Court in July, Smith, who used the pseudonym 'Statto' to write stories involving the abuse of children as young as ten, claimed that his actions were driven by a desire to escape reality during a difficult period in his life, specifically while his wife was terminally ill. Despite his claims, the court found him guilty of the charges, and the severity of his offenses was underscored by the nature of the evidence presented.
North Tyneside Council, citing the seriousness of Smith’s crimes, moved swiftly to seek his eviction. The council was granted a possession order by Judge James Richardson at North Tyneside County Court, who described Smith’s breach of tenancy conditions as a “gross breach” of community standards. The judge emphasized that local authorities have a responsibility to uphold reasonable behavioral standards within their communities, especially when serious criminal conduct is involved.
Judge Richardson stated, “Councils expect – and seek to impress by tenancy conditions – reasonable community standards of behaviour, for the benefit of the tenancy population as a whole. Smith has been convicted of serious offences of downloading child pornography and the council take the view that it is a gross breach of those obligations – and I agree with the council.” He further explained that balancing individual tenant rights with the welfare of the broader community is a key consideration in such cases.
In addition to the eviction, Smith was ordered to pay £244.50 in council costs. Although he was not present during the court proceedings, he is expected to receive eviction papers within 28 days. The case underscores the ongoing efforts by local authorities to address the impact of criminal behavior on community safety and standards, especially in cases involving the exploitation of children.