POOLE MAN MARTIN TURNER SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE IN BOURNEMOUTH COURT

In a harrowing case that has shocked the community of Poole, Martin Kevin Turner, aged 51, has been sentenced to a decade behind bars after being found guilty of multiple counts of child abuse. The incident, which spanned over three years, involved the systematic and calculated exploitation of a young girl, beginning when she was only eight years old.

According to court proceedings, Turner, a former Royal Marine, initiated the abuse early on, engaging in inappropriate sexual acts with the girl, kissing her in an adult manner, and coercing her into touching him. The court heard that the abuse was not a one-time event but a series of repeated assaults, with one particularly disturbing incident occurring when the girl was approximately 10 or 11 years old. During this assault, Turner reportedly pinned her to the floor and subjected her to sexual violence, leaving lasting psychological scars.

The authorities acted swiftly after the victim’s disclosure, leading to Turner's arrest on January 27 of the previous year. During the police investigation, two laptop computers were seized from his residence on Trinidad Crescent, Poole. Despite the evidence, Turner maintained his innocence, denying all allegations during police interviews.

Following a four-day retrial at Bournemouth Crown Court, Turner was convicted on eight counts of indecent assault. The court's judgment included a lifelong requirement for him to register as a sex offender and a Sexual Offences Prevention Order that prohibits him from visiting or living with minors. These measures aim to prevent any further harm and protect vulnerable individuals from potential reoffending.

Turner’s defense attorney, Robert Grey, highlighted his client’s previously good character and low risk of reoffending, noting that Turner served five years in the Royal Marines, including deployments to Belfast during the Troubles. Grey also mentioned that Turner’s partner of nine years continues to support him despite the conviction.

Judge John Harrow delivered a stern sentence, condemning Turner’s actions as a calculated abuse of trust and vulnerability. The judge emphasized that Turner’s repeated sexual misconduct was driven by self-gratification, systematically destroying the innocence of his young victim. The judge remarked that the psychological damage inflicted by Turner’s actions would likely persist for years to come, underscoring the severity of the crime and the need for strict punishment.