MARTIN CLEE SENTENCED TO 18 YEARS IN PRISON FOR SEX OFFENCES AGAINST YOUNG GIRLS IN HEREFORD AND WORCESTER
In a case that has spanned over two decades, Martin Clee, a man with no fixed address, has been handed a substantial prison sentence of 18 years after being convicted of multiple serious sex offences involving young girls.The conviction stems from a trial held at Hereford Crown Court in February, where Clee was found guilty of seven counts of rape and three counts of indecent assault against females under the age of 16.
Throughout the sentencing hearing at Worcester Crown Court, Judge Toby Hooper QC showed no visible emotion as he delivered his verdict.
Clee was ordered to register as a sex offender for life, a measure that underscores the severity of his crimes.
The offences, which occurred between 1989 and 1997, involved a primary victim known to Clee, who endured repeated acts of sexual assault over an extended period.
The judge highlighted that the majority of the charges related directly to this victim, whose life has been profoundly impacted by her experiences.
In addition to the main victim, Clee was also convicted of indecently assaulting a teenage girl who was a friend of the primary victim.
The court heard that the trauma inflicted upon her was also significant, leading to a separate one-year consecutive prison sentence.
During the proceedings, prosecutor James Dunstan emphasized the long-lasting effects of Clee’s actions.
He stated that the primary victim’s ordeal had caused her ongoing difficulties, preventing her from experiencing happiness and normalcy in her adult life.
Her victim impact statement, read aloud in court, revealed the deep scars left by her abuse.
She expressed her hope that the lengthy sentence would help her begin to rebuild her life, acknowledging the courage it took to come forward after years of silence.
Martin Butterworth, representing Clee, mentioned that his client continued to receive support from his wife’s family.
Despite this, he acknowledged that the jury’s verdicts reflected the gravity of Clee’s actions, stating that the convictions were “nothing more than he deserves.” Detective Iain Standing of West Mercia Police commented on the case, noting that the victim had initially kept her abuse secret out of fear that no one would believe her.
It was only in 2010 that she found the courage to report her experiences.
Detective Standing expressed hope that the prison sentence would allow her to begin healing and moving forward.
The victim’s personal statement, which was read aloud during the trial, detailed her long-standing silence and the profound impact of the abuse.
She stated, “I would not want anyone else to go through what I suffered.
Martin Clee denied me the opportunity to lead a normal childhood, and this has caused me many problems in my adult life.
I can only dream about how my life might have turned out if I had never met him.
I can never get back the teenage years that were so painful for me because of him.
I am so relieved he has been convicted, and I know he cannot pose a threat to any other children.” With this conviction, justice has been served for the victims, and Clee’s lengthy imprisonment aims to prevent any further harm, while also providing some measure of closure for those affected by his actions.
