MARTIN BAXTER SENTENCED TO EIGHT YEARS FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF VULNERABLE GIRL IN BURBAGE AND NUNEATON

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Burbage and Nuneaton, Martin Baxter, a 46-year-old man, was sentenced to eight years in prison after being found guilty of engaging in sexual activities with a vulnerable young girl. The conviction followed a trial at Coventry Crown Court, where Baxter’s denial of the charges was ultimately overruled by a jury that found sufficient evidence to convict him on two counts of sexual activity with a child.

Judge Richard Griffith-Jones, presiding over the case, expressed his deep concern about the impact of Baxter’s actions on the victim. He stated, “She was a vulnerable person, and the damage to her is just terrible,” highlighting the severity of the offense and its lasting effects on the young girl involved.

Prosecutor Anthony Potter detailed the disturbing timeline of events. He explained that Baxter, who was residing in Nuneaton at the time, first engaged in sexual activity with the girl when she was only 13 years old. The relationship continued when she was 14, with Baxter failing to use any form of protection during their encounters. The girl, understandably distressed, feared she might have become pregnant as a result of their interactions.

When she confided in Baxter about her fears, he responded by accompanying her to a walk-in health clinic. At the clinic, staff were informed that she had engaged in sexual activity with a boy whose condom had come off, a detail that added to her distress. Following this, Baxter sent her a series of text messages, attempting to persuade her to continue their “relationship,” which further demonstrated his manipulative behavior.

The case came to light in October 2011 when Baxter was arrested. During police questioning, he denied any sexual contact with the girl, but the jury’s verdict proved otherwise. They convicted him of two charges but acquitted him of four additional allegations related to the same girl, indicating a nuanced assessment of the evidence.

Judge Griffith-Jones acknowledged the seriousness of the case, emphasizing that a custodial sentence was necessary. He thanked the jury for their service and remarked, “It has been a serious and disturbing case. It is clearly a case where a custodial sentence, and one of some length, will be passed.”

Defense lawyer Robert Hodgkinson argued that there was no coercion or threats involved, describing the relationship as a romance rather than predatory behavior. He also noted that the incident had contributed to the breakdown of Baxter’s marriage and insisted that his client was not a “predatory monster” targeting other children.

However, in his sentencing remarks, Judge Griffith-Jones made it clear that Baxter’s actions had caused significant harm. He stated, “You formed a sexual relationship with her. Any reading of the text exchanges demonstrates that, in many ways, you were more needy than she was, in an emotional sense. But you cannot have been unaware of the damage you were going to inflict on that girl by beginning a sexual relationship with her. She was already vulnerable and mixed-up. I very much fear you have set her on a course in life from which she may never recover.”

As part of his sentence, Baxter was also placed under a sexual offences prevention order for 15 years. This order restricts his contact with any child under 15 years old without supervision, with the exception of his own children, aiming to prevent any future harm and protect other vulnerable minors in the community.