BRAIN MARTIN PENSIONER FROM BARNSTAPLE SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN NORTH DEVON

In a case that has shocked the community of Barnstaple and the wider North Devon area, 71-year-old Brian Martin was sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty of multiple sexual offences involving a young girl. The sentencing took place at Exeter Crown Court, where Martin appeared carrying a large suitcase, a detail that underscored the gravity of the proceedings.

Martin, a resident of Beechwood Avenue in Barnstaple, faced a jury earlier this year and was convicted of seven out of eight charges related to sexual abuse. These offences, which occurred during the 1990s, involved a girl under the age of ten. The court heard that the abuse took place over a period of three years, with Martin allegedly molesting the girl during various occasions when they were alone together.

During the sentencing hearing, Martin was visibly overwhelmed and collapsed as he rose to be sentenced. Judge Jeremy Griggs instructed him to sit down, emphasizing the seriousness of the case. The judge remarked, “The jury has found that you have a secret. Over a period of three years, you committed offences against the complainant.” He further stated, “The court has no option but to impose an immediate custodial sentence.”

Judge Griggs acknowledged that Martin had received numerous character references, which he described as a reason why many people were surprised by the allegations. Despite these references, the court found the evidence compelling enough to warrant a custodial sentence. The judge also noted that Martin, who has no prior criminal record, had denied three counts of indecency with a child and five counts of indecent assault. He was acquitted of one offence, an alleged indecent assault, during the trial held in October.

The court heard that Martin had molested the girl on several occasions when he was alone with her. The victim, now an adult, provided emotional testimony, describing the abuse as distressing. She revealed that she would often distract herself by focusing on upcoming events, such as her birthday, to cope with the trauma. The girl reported the abuse to police last year, leading to Martin’s conviction.

During his own testimony, Martin denied ever molesting the girl. He claimed that he was never alone with her and accused her of behaving in a sexually inappropriate manner. However, a male witness familiar with the girl testified that she would not have spoken or behaved in such a way and observed that she became increasingly reluctant to visit places where she might encounter Martin as she grew older.

Defense lawyer Richard Crabb argued that Martin maintained his innocence and highlighted the impact of the case’s publicity on his family, who had been subjected to nuisance phone calls. Crabb also pointed out that Martin was in poor health, served as a carer for his wife, and had experienced sleepless nights worrying about the possibility of imprisonment. “He attends here with considerable dignity today, resigned to the inevitable outcome,” Crabb stated. He emphasized that aside from these offences, Martin had led an honest and exemplary life.

Prosecutor Mary McCarthy requested that Martin be subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which would restrict his activities to prevent further offences. However, Judge Griggs rejected this application, citing Martin’s age, the passage of many years since the offences, and the numerous character references as reasons for the decision. The judge did, however, order Martin to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life, emphasizing the severity of the crimes committed against the young girl in Barnstaple and North Devon.