MARTIN GARDINER FROM STRATTON ST MARGARET JAILED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF VULNERABLE GIRL

In a case that has shocked the local community of Stratton St Margaret, Martin Gardiner, a 55-year-old man with a prominent role in the British Legion, has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for the heinous sexual abuse of a young girl. The incident, which took place in the summer of 2012, involved a series of disturbing acts that demonstrated a gross breach of trust and moral boundaries.

Gardiner, who was not only a member of the Legion but also served on the committee at the Stratton branch, targeted a girl who was only 14 or 15 years old at the time. The court heard that he exploited her vulnerability, including her low intellectual capacity, to carry out his predatory behavior. Despite denying any wrongdoing, Gardiner engaged in a pattern of grooming that included sending explicit text messages and Facebook messages to the girl, establishing a disturbing online communication that was meant to manipulate and control her.

According to court records, Gardiner later took the girl out in his car, where he committed sexual acts with her at Coate Water, a local recreational area. The court was told that Gardiner, who is married and has an adult son, even went to lengths to isolate the girl further by getting his family away from his home, possibly to continue his abuse without interference. However, the girl’s father grew suspicious of the interactions and, after reviewing the messages, decided to report his concerns to the authorities. This intervention was crucial in initiating the investigation that eventually led to Gardiner’s arrest.

During the police investigation, Gardiner attempted to cover his tracks by deleting text messages, but law enforcement officials managed to recover some of the deleted data, which proved instrumental in building a case against him. He was charged with seven counts of sexually abusing a child with a mental disorder, charges that he denied at trial.

Following a two-week trial at Swindon Crown Court, a jury composed of five men and seven women found Gardiner guilty of all charges. The court heard that the grooming and abuse occurred over a relatively short period, just a few weeks in July and August of 2012. The victim impact statement presented during the trial revealed that the girl’s mental health and well-being had been significantly affected by the abuse, highlighting the lasting damage caused by Gardiner’s actions.

Defense lawyer Robin Shellard argued that although there was evidence of grooming, the duration of the offending was limited. He emphasized Gardiner’s efforts to be a good father to his son, who suffers from epilepsy, and a caring husband to his wife, who has Crohn’s disease. Shellard described Gardiner as a man of good character, noting his long-standing service on the Legion committee and his role as a standard bearer.

However, Judge Tim Mousley QC did not accept these character references lightly. In his sentencing remarks, he condemned Gardiner’s actions as premeditated, planned, and coercive. The judge pointed out that the victim’s mental disabilities meant she was particularly vulnerable, and Gardiner took advantage of her immaturity for his own gratification. The judge described the case as one of serious sexual abuse, emphasizing the gravity of the offense and the breach of trust involved.

As part of his sentence, Gardiner will serve 12 years in prison and will be required to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding vulnerable individuals and the consequences faced by those who exploit their trust for criminal purposes.