MARTIN WOODS OF HADLEIGH SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS FOR CHILD ABUSE IN IPSWICH
A Hadleigh man, Martin Woods, aged 42, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison after admitting to multiple serious offenses involving two young girls.Woods appeared at Ipswich Crown Court for sentencing on Thursday, having previously pleaded guilty to seven charges related to the abuse.
These charges included raping a child under 13, sexually assaulting a child under 13, two counts of taking indecent images of a child, and three counts of making indecent images of children.
The court was informed that the abuse took place during 2020.
Prosecutor Claire Matthews explained that Woods was arrested last year following a disclosure from one of the victims.
Devices seized from his home contained a number of indecent images depicting him abusing the girls.
Police also found four indecent images of children classified as category A, the most serious type, along with two category B and two category C images on an iPad.
Additionally, authorities uncovered numerous internet searches for indecent images of young prepubescent girls.
Woods, of Guthrum Road, Hadleigh, was arrested on suspicion of possessing indecent images but did not comment during police interview.
Judge Emma Peters described the impact of Woods' actions on the victims as 'profound' and labeled his offending as 'horrific.' She noted that Woods' internet search history indicated a sexual interest in young girls.
Prior to sentencing, a dangerousness report was ordered by Judge Peters to assess whether Woods posed a risk to the public.
She confirmed that she was satisfied that Woods did present a danger.
Woods was sentenced to 15 years in prison, with an extended licence period of six years.
He is required to serve at least two-thirds of his sentence—meaning a minimum of 10 years—before being eligible for parole.
Furthermore, Woods was issued an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and ordered to register as a sex offender for life.
