Northampton man jailed for historic sexual abuse of children
A man has been sentenced to nine years in prison for sexually abusing girls in the 2000s, after survivors came forward to police in 2020 as part of a separate investigation.
A 36-year-old man has been jailed for child sex offences after he was found guilty at Northampton Crown Court.
Martin Prior, of Crestline Court, Northampton, was sentenced on Friday 27 June to a total of nine years’ imprisonment. He will be required to serve at least two-thirds of the sentence before being considered for parole.
He was also placed on the sex offenders’ register for life and made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
The abuse took place during the mid to late 2000s but was not reported until 2020. The victims spoke to Northamptonshire Police during a different investigation, which led to the launch of a full inquiry by the Child Protection team.
Following this, Prior was charged with nine offences, including one count of rape of a girl under 13, six counts of sexual assault of a girl under 13 by touching, one count of sexual assault of a female, and one count of causing or inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity.
On 8 May, a jury found him guilty of seven offences but not guilty of the rape and sexual assault of a female.
Detective Constable Laura Beeby, who investigated the case, said: “Martin Prior is a sexual predator, who as an adult deliberately targeted children for his own sexual gratification.
“All of these children were vulnerable due to their age, and the repeated abuse Prior subjected them to has caused them significant and lasting harm and distress.
“Their courage in finally revealing Prior’s abhorrent offending cannot be overstated, and it is thanks to their bravery that he has been proven to be an abuser and a liar.
“The only shame and guilt in a case like this lies with the offender, and I hope this outcome can provide some small comfort to the survivors as they continue to heal.”
The report and custody image were released with the support of the survivors, who have a legal right to lifelong anonymity.
Anyone who has experienced sexual abuse, whether recently or in the past, is encouraged to contact police by calling 101 or reporting online at www.northants.police.uk/RO.
Free and confidential support is also available from Voice at www.voicenorthants.org or by calling 0300 303 1965.