MARTIN SPENCE FROM COVENEY ESCAPES JAIL AFTER CHILD PORNOGRAPHY OFFENSES NEAR ELY

In a case that has shocked the local community near Ely, Martin Spence, aged 61, of Wentworth Road, Coveney, was found guilty of serious offenses involving the exploitation and illegal filming of a young girl. The court proceedings revealed disturbing details about Spence’s actions, which included encouraging a girl to pose for indecent photographs and secretly filming her during vulnerable moments.

According to the court, Spence was involved in filming the girl while she was undressing, and he had planted a covert camera to capture her in private. The girl, who was between approximately 11 and 14 years old at the time, was subjected to these invasive acts, which have caused significant concern among local residents and child protection advocates.

During the sentencing hearing at Cambridge Crown Court, Judge Jonathan Haworth addressed the court and the defendant, emphasizing the gravity of the offenses. Despite the severity of the crimes, Spence was not sentenced to immediate imprisonment. Instead, he received a one-year prison sentence that was suspended for two years. The judge explained that this decision was made because he believed Spence would benefit more from treatment and rehabilitation rather than incarceration, which might not address the underlying issues.

It was also noted during the proceedings that the legal framework initially suggested a minimum sentence of six years for causing a child to be involved in pornography. However, Judge Haworth chose to apply different sentencing guidelines, considering the circumstances and the defendant’s personal situation. The judge remarked that a harsher sentence would be disproportionate to the case, especially given the potential consequences for Spence’s family, who could have faced losing their home if he had been jailed.

Spence, who works as a smallholder and lorry driver, admitted to multiple charges, including causing a child to be involved in pornography, possessing indecent images of a child, and making indecent images of a child. The court heard that the offenses spanned a period during which the girl was approximately 11 to 14 years old.

The investigation was initiated after a witness provided a video found at Spence’s residence to Ely police. Following a search of his home, authorities discovered lower-level indecent images of children, along with CDs containing footage of a girl removing her clothing. Among the material was also footage from a naturist holiday camp that included children, raising further concerns about the nature of the images and videos involved.

Prosecutor Sara Walker detailed that the images included those of the girl being secretly filmed and removing her clothes, highlighting the invasive and exploitative nature of Spence’s actions. The court was also shown evidence of the covert camera used to record the girl without her knowledge.

In his defense, Nicola May, representing Spence, stated that there was no financial motive behind his actions and that there was no evidence to suggest that any of the photographs or videos had been distributed. She emphasized that no physical force or threats were involved in obtaining the images, and that the behavior had ceased entirely. May also noted that Spence had expressed difficulty understanding his own motives and had not attempted to minimize his role in the offenses.

As part of his sentence, Spence was ordered to undertake a sex offender treatment program, pay costs of £400, and was placed on the sex offender register. The court’s decision reflects a cautious approach, balancing the seriousness of the crimes with the potential for rehabilitation and the impact on his family.