TIM MARTIN PLYMOUTH BRICKLAYER SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF GIRLS IN PLYMOUTH
In a case that has shocked the community of Plymouth, a local bricklayer named Tim Martin has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 12 years after being found guilty of sexually abusing two young girls, incidents that occurred nearly a decade apart.The court proceedings revealed disturbing details about Martin’s actions and the profound impact they had on his victims.
Tim Martin, aged 47 and residing on Lansdowne Road in the Crownhill area of Plymouth, was convicted of multiple serious sexual offences.
The Plymouth Crown Court heard that Martin’s misconduct included acts that drove his victims to the brink of self-harm, highlighting the severe emotional and psychological toll inflicted upon them.
The court was told that Martin’s abuse of the second girl involved the administration of alcohol and illegal drugs, specifically vodka and cocaine, which he used to manipulate her into compliance and facilitate his exploitation.
The jury, which delivered its verdict in January, found Martin guilty of six counts related to sexual misconduct.
These included three charges of indecent assault against a girl in 2007 and 2008, covering multiple incidents of inappropriate touching.
Additionally, he was convicted of three counts of sexual activity with a minor, two of which involved penetration, occurring during the night of August 11 to August 12, 2017.
Martin maintained his innocence throughout the trial, claiming that the sexual acts never took place.
However, the jury rejected his denial, reaching a verdict of guilty on all six counts—five unanimously and one by an 11 to one majority.
Judge James Townsend, presiding over the case via a remote hearing conducted over Skype due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, sentenced Martin to an extended term of 12 years in prison.
The judge emphasized that Martin posed a significant danger to young girls and ordered that he would not be eligible for parole until after serving at least eight years, with release only granted if deemed safe.
The court also imposed a lifetime Sexual Harm Prevention Order, restricting Martin’s contact with minors in the future, and mandated that he register as a sex offender for the same duration.
During the trial, it was revealed that Martin’s misconduct included drunkenly abusing the first girl after visiting a social club in Plymouth.
For the second victim, who was in her teens at the time, Martin separated her from her friends and used alcohol and drugs to facilitate his abuse.
He claimed that he only provided her with cider or WKD and denied giving her or taking any drugs himself.
The case has brought to light the importance of safeguarding vulnerable young people and the need for continued vigilance against such predatory behavior in the community of Plymouth.
