SHOCKING CRIME IN GREAT YARMOUTH: MARTIN THOMAS SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Great Yarmouth, Martin Thomas, a 49-year-old man from North Quay, was convicted of a series of heinous sexual offences involving young victims. The conviction followed a lengthy 14-day trial at Norwich Crown Court, culminating in a verdict delivered on December 4 by a jury that found Thomas guilty of 15 separate charges, including multiple counts of sexual assault and acts of perverting the course of justice.

Thomas’s crimes spanned several years, with the offences dating back to early 2006. The victims, two females whose identities are protected for legal reasons, endured years of abuse at the hands of Thomas. The court heard that the offences included nine counts of sexual activity with a child, alongside a charge of perverting the course of justice, which involved attempts by Thomas to cover up his offending and fabricate telephone evidence to falsely portray himself as innocent.

Following the guilty verdict, Judge Holt sentenced Thomas to a total of 18 years in prison. The sentence comprises 12 years of actual incarceration, with an additional six years on licence, reflecting the severity of his crimes. Furthermore, Thomas was ordered to be placed on the sex offenders register for life, a measure aimed at protecting the community from potential future harm.

Detective Constable Tristan Coull, of Norfolk Constabulary’s Child Abuse Investigation Unit, commented on the case, emphasizing the difficulties faced by victims and the efforts of law enforcement. He stated, “The fact Thomas pleaded not guilty to all counts meant his victims were forced to relive the traumatic events which have happened to them in order to bring him to justice. Thomas compounded the victims’ agony by making unsuccessful attempts to cover his offending up and fabricating telephone evidence to make himself look innocent.”

He added, “Both victims in this case have been left shattered by their experiences. They suffered years of abuse at the hands of Thomas, and it has taken an enormous amount of courage on their part to first speak to the police, and secondly to stand up in court and give evidence. We hope such a sentence will help give them a sense of closure, and that they can now move on positively with their lives.”

Judge Holt described Thomas’s efforts to undermine his victims as “highly sophisticated” and condemned the nature of the abuse as “of the most serious nature.” The court’s decision underscores the gravity of the offences committed in Great Yarmouth and the community’s need for justice and protection.

Norfolk Constabulary remains committed to tackling sexual offences and has recently re-launched its “Time to Stop” campaign, which aims to raise awareness about rape and sexual assault, particularly among young adults aged 17 to 24. Detective Constable Coull, who received a Judge’s Commendation for his work on this case, reiterated the force’s dedication, stating, “We take all offences of a sexual nature extremely seriously. The Constabulary has a number of specially trained officers to deal with such crimes who ensure victims receive care in an empathetic and appropriate manner. Hopefully, the verdict will give other victims of similar crimes the confidence to come forward and report their experiences.”

Victims seeking support can contact Norfolk’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre, The Harbour Centre, which operates a 24-hour service for those affected by sexual abuse. The centre can be reached at 0845 456 4810, or individuals can report crimes directly to the police by calling 101.