MARTIN GODFREY FROM SOMERSHAM SENTENCED FOR CHILD RAPE IN PETERBOROUGH

In a recent and highly disturbing case, Martin Godfrey, a 17-year-old resident of West End, Somersham, has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term following his conviction for heinous sexual offenses involving a very young child. The crimes, which took place between August and December 2007, came to light after a thorough investigation and a subsequent trial at Peterborough Crown Court.

At the time of the offenses, Godfrey was only 16 years old. He faced multiple charges, including two counts of rape and two counts of sexual assault against a child under the age of 13. During the proceedings, he was also accused of a fifth charge of indecent assault, which he was ultimately cleared of. Despite pleading not guilty to all charges, the evidence presented in court led to his conviction.

Judge Sean Enright, presiding over the case, delivered a stern sentence and provided a detailed assessment of Godfrey’s mental and emotional state. The judge described him as “grossly immature” and possessing “limited intelligence,” factors that he considered relevant to the case. In his remarks, Judge Enright emphasized that Godfrey had deliberately infiltrated a family’s life for a specific purpose, which was to commit these sexual offenses. The assaults had occurred over a period of several months, highlighting a pattern of predatory behavior.

In a move that underscored the seriousness of the case, Judge Enright lifted reporting restrictions, making it clear that the public should be aware of the identity of the offender. He stated that if Godfrey had been an adult, the sentence would likely have been between 12 and 13 years, reflecting the gravity of the crimes. However, considering his age and the perceived manageability of the threat he posed, the judge opted against an indeterminate sentence. Instead, Godfrey was sentenced to seven years for each of the rape charges, to run concurrently, with no additional penalty for the indecent assault charges. The 28 days he has already spent in custody since his conviction will be deducted from his total sentence.

Throughout the hearing, Godfrey was visibly distressed, sobbing with his head in his hands. His solicitor, John Fitzpatrick, argued that the offenses were not premeditated but rather a result of opportunistic behavior. He explained that Godfrey had simply taken advantage of situations where he found himself alone with girls, without any prior planning. Fitzpatrick also highlighted that Godfrey’s family was deeply distressed by the case and that he had maintained good behavior while in detention, earning a “silver” grading for conduct.

In addition to his prison sentence, Godfrey was ordered to sign the sex-offender register and was given an indefinite ban from contacting his victims or working with children. The court also mandated that he serve at least half of his sentence before being eligible for parole, with the remaining period to be served under a license until the completion of his sentence. As of now, Martin Godfrey has been released from custody, but his current whereabouts remain unknown, raising concerns about ongoing monitoring and public safety.