JAMIE MARTIN FROM GOOLE CAUGHT IN ONLINE CHILD SEX PREDATION AT DONCASTER STATION

In a case that highlights the dangers of online predators and the vigilant efforts of child protection groups, Jamie Martin, a 35-year-old resident of Morley Street, Goole, was caught attempting to engage in sexual activities with a decoy posing as a 13-year-old girl. The incident unfolded after Martin believed he was communicating with a minor through social media platforms, only to be confronted by members of an online paedophile hunting group.

According to court proceedings at Hull Crown Court, Martin had initiated contact with the fake profile on Facebook on March 14, 2023. He sent a friend request to the decoy, stating, "Hope you don't mind I added you by random. Need new friends xx." This was one of approximately 100 friend requests he sent out to females, although it remains unclear whether the others were of similar age or different demographics. Despite knowing the profile was a child, Martin continued his communication, showing little restraint. He inquired about her relationship status, asking if she was "single or taken," and quickly moved the conversation towards sexual topics.

He referred to the decoy as "gorgeous," "sexy," and "baby," and asked for her phone number. The exchanges escalated rapidly, with conversations shifting to WhatsApp, where they became highly sexualized. Martin requested explicit images from the girl and sent his own explicit videos and photographs. The predator also suggested they meet at Doncaster station, indicating a desire to carry out the encounter in person.

On March 17, 2023, Martin's illicit activities came to an end when members of the child protection group confronted him on Hook Road, Goole. The group had set up a decoy profile to catch online predators, and Martin was identified and detained. Police were called to the scene, and he was subsequently arrested. During police interviews, Martin claimed that his Facebook account had been hacked and denied any involvement with a 13-year-old girl. He insisted that he was attracted to older women and not children, despite the evidence to the contrary.

It was also revealed that Martin had prior convictions, including a case of criminal damage in October 2017. His defense lawyer, Gabrielle Coates, acknowledged that Martin had pleaded guilty before the trial, emphasizing that he understood the gravity of the evidence against him and the potential consequences. She described his actions as attempts and noted that there had been no further issues since the incident, characterizing it as an isolated offense.

Judge Mark Bury sentenced Martin to an 18-month prison term, suspended for the duration of the sentence. Additionally, he was ordered to undergo six months of drug rehabilitation, participate in a 10-day rehabilitation program, and complete a 26-day sex offender treatment course. As part of the court's measures to prevent future offenses, Martin was issued a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and is required to register as a sex offender for the next decade.