MARTIN SMITH FROM NORTH SHIELDS FOUND HANGED IN MANCHESTER PRISON AFTER CONVICTION FOR CHILD RAPE AND LINK TO SPAIN MURDER CASE

In a tragic development at HMP Manchester, Martin Smith, a 46-year-old former television psychic and convicted sex offender from North Shields, was discovered dead by hanging within his cell. The circumstances surrounding his death are currently under investigation, but authorities have indicated that there is no suspicion of foul play.

Martin Smith's criminal history is extensive and deeply disturbing. In March 2011, he was sentenced to 16 years in prison after being convicted at Liverpool Crown Court of multiple heinous crimes, including the rape of a girl under the age of 16 in Cumbria. The charges stemmed from a series of offenses committed over nearly a decade, from May 1995 to May 2004, during which he repeatedly abused a young girl who was only seven years old at the start of the abuse. The victim, now in her twenties, endured physical violence and bullying, which Smith used to manipulate and coerce her into compliance with his demands.

Smith's methods of grooming involved the use of hypnotism and violence, tactics that he employed to sexually exploit his victim over a prolonged period. His trial revealed a pattern of predatory behavior, including attempted rape, indecency with a child, and indecent assault. The court's findings painted a disturbing picture of a man who exploited his position and manipulative skills to commit these grave offenses.

Adding a complex layer to this case is Smith's personal life. His partner, Lianne Smith, is currently in custody in Spain, accused of the murder of their two children in Lloret de Mar, a resort town in Catalonia. The children, Rebecca, aged five, and Daniel, just 11 months old, were found dead in a hotel in northeastern Spain. The couple, who share the same surname but are not biologically related, had traveled from the UK to Spain with Rebecca, who was born in the UK, while Daniel was born in Spain. The tragic deaths have shocked both communities and are the subject of ongoing investigations.

Smith's extradition from Spain to the UK occurred in spring 2010, following his arrest and detention in Spain. His appearance on television as a medium, notably on the Living Channel’s 'Most Haunted' program five years prior, contrasts sharply with his criminal record and the dark allegations surrounding his personal life. After his return to the UK, Smith was convicted of 11 counts of rape, attempted rape, and indecent assault, with the court hearing that he used hypnotism and violence to groom and sexually abuse his victim over a decade.

The circumstances of Smith's death are being examined by the Prison Service and the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman. No official date has been set for the trial of Lianne Smith in Spain regarding the alleged murder of their children, as the judicial process in Catalonia continues. The case remains a stark reminder of the complex and tragic intersections of crime, abuse, and personal tragedy.