MARTIN SMITH OF AMMANFORD SENTENCED TO FIVE YEARS IN PRISON AFTER GROOMING BOYS WITH GHOST STORIES

In May 2014, Martin Smith, a 64-year-old former primary school teacher from Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, was sentenced to five years in prison for sexually abusing two young boys. Smith, who had used elaborate ghost stories involving World War I soldiers to attract and manipulate his young victims, was convicted at Woolwich Crown Court after a jury found him guilty of multiple counts of indecent assault and indecency with children occurring between 1979 and 1982.

Just hours before his scheduled sentencing, Smith was rushed to a hospital in Horsham, West Sussex, after slashing his wrists in a self-harm attempt. Despite the courtroom's listing for an update and potential adjournment for medical and psychiatric reports, Judge David Tomlinson proceeded with the sentencing. The judge also issued a Sexual Offences Prevention Order restricting Smith's future activities and mandated he sign the sex-offenders register indefinitely.

The incidents centered around Smith’s former home on St Julian’s Farm Road, West Norwood, where he hosted sleepovers with the victims. The boys, aged between eight and ten at the time, were drawn into his stories, which involved Ghosts and soldiers from the First World War, often leading to abuse. One victim recalled feeling the presence of a ghost during visits to an old music hall, a sign of Smith’s powerful influence.

Smith, who was employed at Camberwell Primary School, denied all allegations during his trial, claiming he never touched any of the boys. However, evidence showed that he pressured one of the victims to “punish the ghost” by touching him intimately, and also admitted to physically punishing and spanking the boys—actions the victims described, along with instances of being placed in a nappy by Smith.

The abuse only came to light after the victims confided in their wives, and subsequent police interviews validated their testimonies. Smith was arrested following online communications between the victims on Facebook and Friends Reunited. The conviction was based on detailed evidence, including statements from the boys who described how Smith’s stories and behavior were inextricably linked to the abuse.

In addition to the five-year imprisonment, the court ordered a Sexual Offences Prevention Order to restrict Smith’s contact and movements and registered him on the sex offenders register indefinitely. The sentencing marked the culmination of a case that highlighted the manipulative tactics used by Smith, as well as the importance of victims coming forward to seek justice.