SIMON MARTIN CAUGHT IN MARCH CHILD ABUSE SCANDAL: PAEDOPHILE SENT EXPLICIT IMAGES TO 12-YEAR-OLD BOY

In July 2019, a disturbing incident unfolded involving Simon Martin, a 40-year-old man from March, who was ultimately convicted and sentenced for engaging in online child abuse. The case came to light after a vigilant online child protection group captured footage of Martin attempting to exploit what he believed was a 12-year-old boy through explicit messaging.

Martin initiated contact with the decoy on December 27 of the previous year, believing he was communicating with a young boy. Unbeknownst to him, the individual he was speaking to was an online child abuse activist group (OCAG) operating as a decoy to catch predators. This group’s purpose was to identify and report individuals engaging in inappropriate online behavior towards minors, and they recorded the entire interaction for evidence.

Over the course of several months, Martin’s messages grew increasingly intimate and explicit. He explained sexual acts, sent explicit images and videos of himself, and encouraged the supposed boy to touch himself inappropriately. He also inquired about the boy’s location, asking how far away he was with the intent of arranging a meeting. These actions demonstrated a clear pattern of grooming and predatory behavior.

Martin’s arrest took place on February 13, after the group, known as Cobra, confronted him at his residence on Jolley Close in Manea, March. The group called the police and filmed the encounter while waiting for officers to arrive. The footage was streamed live on Facebook, capturing the moment authorities arrived and questioned Martin.

During the live stream, members of the group questioned Martin about his motives and his understanding of the harm caused by his actions. A woman from the group asked, “Why did you feel the need to speak to a boy in this manner? Bearing in mind he’s 12-years-old.”

Martin responded, “I was talking to this boy, he seemed a nice chap, obviously he’s not real and I’ve just found out.” He continued, “I’m not a harmful person, I talk to people, I’m a friendly person and I was talking to him, he seemed a genuine boy. I like to talk to people and he seemed a nice person, I do express myself, it’s something I do, but I don’t do it in a harmful way and obviously he’s underage but I didn’t mean to hurt anybody.”

He also admitted to sending masturbation videos to the decoy. Following his arrest, Martin faced serious legal consequences. On July 12, he was sentenced to two years in prison, placed on the Sex Offenders Register for ten years, and subjected to a ten-year sexual harm prevention order (SHPO). These measures were imposed after he pleaded guilty to charges of inciting a boy under 13 to engage in sexual activity and attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child.

Martin’s case highlights the ongoing efforts of child protection groups and law enforcement to combat online predatory behavior and safeguard minors from exploitation. His sentencing underscores the serious legal repercussions faced by individuals who engage in such criminal conduct, especially when it involves the manipulation and grooming of vulnerable children.