Man jailed for non-recent child sex offences – South Oxfordshire

Following a Thames Valley Police investigation, a man has been jailed for non-recent child sex offences.

Martyn Spence, aged 47, of Dowling Avenue, Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, was sentenced to 12 years in prison at Oxford Crown Court on Friday 24 February.

The judge also gave him a lifelong sexual harm prevention order and put him on the sex offenders register for life.

A jury unanimously found Spence guilty of two counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 14 and one count of gross indecency with a girl under 14 years of age, after a four-day trial.

Spence committed gross indecency on a young girl at addresses in South Oxfordshire, and in other parts of the country, when he was in his twenties.

The victim reported the offences to Thames Valley Police on 31 January 2021, and following an investigation by the force’s Child Abuse Investigation Unit, Spence was charged by postal requisition on 11 February last year.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Martin Turner, of the Child Abuse Investigation Unit, said: “The strength and bravery displayed by the victim in this case has been admirable.

“The victim’s determination has resulted in the conviction of the individual whose despicable actions ruined her childhood and have impacted on her adult life.

“All of the witnesses who have come forward in this investigation have been invaluable and their contributions ensured that justice was obtained.

“I’m pleased that the jury has convicted Martyn Spence, who has been forced to face up to actions that he committed a number of decades ago.

“I would like to thank everyone who has worked on this investigation, including partners from other forces and safeguarding teams.”

JD

Notes to editor:

No custody photo is available of Spence.