MARILYN MARTLAND ACCRINGTON CHILD ABUSER SENTENCED TO FOUR YEARS IN PRISON

In a case that has shocked the community of Accrington, Marilyn Martland, aged 48, has been sentenced to four years behind bars after a lengthy trial that uncovered a disturbing pattern of child abuse against her stepsons. The offences, which spanned over a decade, involved a series of brutal daily beatings inflicted upon Tony, now 29, and Craig, now 28, by their stepmother.

Martland, residing on Hawksworth Road in Accrington, was found guilty of 16 separate charges, including eight counts of actual bodily harm. The crimes date back to the 1980s, revealing a long history of cruelty that went unnoticed or unchallenged for years. The verdict was delivered by a jury at Preston Crown Court on March 13, after a detailed trial that exposed the extent of her violence.

During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Martland’s abusive behavior was relentless, with the children subjected to daily assaults involving hitting, kicking, and hair-pulling. Despite the severity of the abuse, neither of the victims required hospital treatment for their injuries, which suggests that the physical harm, while significant, was often inflicted in a manner that avoided medical intervention. The court heard that her actions were driven by a combination of alcohol problems and a diagnosed personality disorder.

In addition to her prison sentence, Martland was ordered to serve an extra three months for failing to attend a court hearing on June 6, while she was on bail. Her failure to appear was viewed as a further indication of her disregard for the judicial process.

Judge Peter Openshaw addressed the court, describing the case as “a striking example of the destructive nature of child abuse” and emphasizing the lasting impact on the victims. He remarked that the seriousness of the crimes was not solely in the injuries inflicted but in the repeated nature of the violence, which occurred nearly every day or every other day. The judge highlighted that the household was devoid of affection, with Martland relishing her power and control through her cruelty.

“What you did to them has cast a shadow over their lives,” Judge Openshaw stated. He acknowledged that one of the victims had finally reached a breaking point, leading to police involvement after confrontations. The victims, after enduring years of suffering, now find some measure of justice, though the judge noted that no sentence could fully compensate for their pain.

Martland’s attitude throughout the proceedings was marked by a lack of remorse. The judge condemned her contempt for her victims and the court, emphasizing her failure to recognize the damage caused. “The sentence will never match the suffering of the victims but must mark public condemnation for your persistent cruelty,” he concluded.

Detective Sergeant Alison Harris of the Major Crime Unit expressed her satisfaction with the sentence, stating, “I think the judge summed it up perfectly. We are very pleased with the sentence. Our thoughts are with the victims. They have had to endure this abuse throughout their childhoods and will carry the scars for the rest of their lives. We all have a duty to protect children in all environments.”