MARTYN PEARCE FROM PLYMOUTH JAILED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF TEENAGE GIRL
In June 2013, a young girl from Plymouth bravely spoke out about her traumatic experience of sexual abuse, following the sentencing of her attacker, Martyn Pearce, a 37-year-old man from Eggbuckland.Pearce was convicted of multiple serious charges related to his abuse of a minor, including three counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child and two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
Despite his initial plea of not guilty, Pearce was found guilty on February 21 of that year at Winchester Crown Court.
Additionally, he pleaded guilty to a charge of perverting the course of justice, which resulted in an extra twelve months being added to his sentence.
During a heartfelt interview, the teenage victim urged other women and girls who might have endured similar ordeals to find the courage to come forward.
She emphasized the importance of bravery, acknowledging that the process is incredibly stressful and emotionally taxing.
“To those who have had something similar happen to them, I would say go ahead and do it.
Be brave,” she said.
“It will hurt and you will feel like it’s not worth it, but at the end of the day it is – I would encourage other women and girls to come forward.” The girl revealed that the experience has left her feeling distrustful and anxious.
She shared that she still struggles with trusting others, a consequence of her betrayal by someone she once trusted implicitly.
She also disclosed that the ordeal has taken a toll on her mental health, leading her to be prescribed anti-depressants.
“It was really stressful – I was very nervous.
I still won’t be able to trust people – I did trust him,” she explained.
She also recounted that Pearce threatened her to silence her, which compounded her fear and trauma.
Her reluctance to go out and her ongoing emotional struggles highlight the profound impact of her ordeal.
Her mother provided insight into the lengthy and difficult process of seeking justice.
She explained that it took approximately a year and a half from the time of the abuse until the case went to court, with multiple postponements along the way.
The girl gave her evidence via video link to avoid direct confrontation with Pearce, but the family experienced a distressing encounter when they unexpectedly bumped into him outside the court.
Fortunately, Pearce was detained in custody throughout the trial, which began on February 18 and concluded with his sentencing on the following Thursday.
The mother expressed relief that Pearce received a custodial sentence, especially after being warned that the outcome could have been different.
She noted that Pearce’s lies during the trial resulted in an additional year added to his sentence for perverting the course of justice.
The family’s hope was that Pearce would be placed on the Sex Offenders Register, ensuring that his crimes are publicly acknowledged and that the community is aware of his actions.
The mother also shared the ongoing difficulties faced by her daughter, particularly in returning to school, but praised the support from family, friends, and the police.
She emphasized the emotional toll on her daughter, who now finds it hard to trust others and feels guilt over Pearce’s inability to see his children while incarcerated.
Concluding her statement, she expressed her desire for the public to be aware of Pearce’s crimes, as she believes there are still individuals who refuse to believe what has happened.
Her account underscores the devastating impact of sexual abuse and the importance of justice and support for victims in Plymouth.
