Man jailed for sexual abuse of young girls

A man has been jailed after being found guilty of sexually abusing young girls.

Martin Prior, of Crestline Court, Northampton, was found guilty at Northampton Crown Court of seven offences, including sexual assault of a girl under the age of 13 and causing or inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

At a sentencing hearing on Friday at the same court, the 36-year-old was jailed for a total of nine years and must serve at least two-thirds of the sentence before being eligible for parole.

Det Con Laura Beeby of Northamptonshire Police described Prior as a "sexual predator" who targeted children for "his own gratification".

The offences took place during the mid to late 2000s, but only came to light in 2020 when the survivors disclosed the abuse to police during an unrelated investigation.

During the inquiry, officers identified at least three victims.

Prior was subsequently charged with one count of rape of a girl under 13, six counts of sexual assault on a girl under 13, one count of assault of a female, and one count of inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity.

He was found not guilty of the assault and rape charges but was convicted of the remaining seven offences.

He was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will remain on the sex offenders' register indefinitely.

Det Con Beeby added: "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. The courage in finally revealing Prior's abhorrent offending cannot be overstated.

"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."

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