MARTIN HOLDWAY FROM NORMACOT SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IMAGES IN STOKE-ON-TRENT

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Normacot and the wider Stoke-on-Trent area, Martin Holdway, aged 39, has been sentenced to prison after being found in possession of a vast collection of indecent images depicting the sexual abuse of children and infants. The investigation into Holdway’s activities uncovered a disturbing cache of material that highlights the severity of his offending.

Between October 2018 and July 2019, law enforcement officers executed searches at Holdway’s residence in Normacot, seizing multiple electronic devices, including a USB keyring and several laptops. These devices were subjected to detailed forensic analysis, which revealed the presence of more than 5,700 indecent images of minors. The images depicted children aged between one and 14 years old, with a significant number of them under the age of 10. The victims in these images were shown wearing swimwear, underwear, or nappies, further emphasizing the disturbing nature of the material.

In addition to the indecent images, authorities discovered 1,647 prohibited images, which are classified as particularly harmful under the law. The devices also contained over 700 search queries containing keywords related to the sexual exploitation of children, indicating a deliberate interest in such material. These findings paint a clear picture of Holdway’s disturbing online activity and his engagement with illegal content.

During police interviews, Holdway initially displayed reluctance to cooperate, refusing to hand over his phones and other devices. However, he eventually relented, providing access to the devices. His actions during this process constituted a breach of a civil Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) that had been imposed on him in 2017. The order explicitly prohibited him from possessing certain electronic devices and required him to retain his search history, which he was now found to have deleted.

In May of the current year, Holdway faced formal charges, including five counts of making indecent photographs of a child and one count of possessing prohibited images. He pleaded guilty to all charges, acknowledging his guilt in court. Despite these proceedings, Holdway continued to violate the terms of his SHPO, with the latest breach occurring in September, just two weeks after his previous court appearance. This persistent defiance demonstrated a blatant disregard for court orders and public safety.

Following his guilty plea and the repeated breaches of the SHPO, Judge Hancox sentenced Holdway to a total of two years in prison. The court also imposed a criminal sexual harm prevention order, which will remain in effect for ten years, and mandated that Holdway be placed on the sex offenders’ register for the same duration. As part of the court’s orders, all electronic devices seized during the investigation are to be destroyed, and Holdway is required to pay a statutory surcharge. This case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat online child exploitation and protect vulnerable minors from harm.