Key Takeaways
- Kelvin Martin, a convicted paedophile, has been sentenced to preventive detention for his latest crimes, which involved the abuse of two young girls, aged 3 and 5.
- Martin’s name was previously suppressed, but he has now dropped his appeal against publication.
- The defendant has a history of sexual crimes dating back almost 25 years, including possessing child exploitation materials and attempting to meet a 14-year-old girl.
- Martin’s lawyer argued that he wants to reform, but the judge noted that past sentencing approaches had not worked and that Martin poses a significant risk to the community.
- The sentence of preventive detention means that Martin will be released only when the Parole Board determines that the risk has been reduced, and he will be managed by Corrections for the rest of his life.
Introduction to the Case
Kelvin Martin, a convicted paedophile, has been sentenced to preventive detention for his latest crimes, which involved the abuse of two young girls, aged 3 and 5. Martin’s name was previously suppressed, but he has now dropped his appeal against publication. The defendant’s history of sexual crimes dates back almost 25 years, and he has been deemed to pose a significant risk to the community.
The Latest Offences
The latest offences occurred when Martin locked the youngest child in a room and sexually abused her on more than one occasion. The older child was also targeted, and told Martin to stop when he groped her from behind. The mother of the victims spoke at Martin’s sentencing, describing the devastating impact of his actions on her daughters. She said that hearing her daughters describe the abuse was like having her "heart ripped out" and that Martin had caused harm that would follow them for the rest of their lives.
History of Offending
Martin’s history of sexual crimes is extensive, dating back to 2002. He was previously convicted of possessing child exploitation materials and attempting to meet a 14-year-old girl. In 2009, he was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for abusing a 6-year-old girl whom he was supposed to be caring for. Martin’s lawyer, Philip Hamlin, argued that he wants to reform, but the judge noted that past sentencing approaches had not worked and that Martin poses a significant risk to the community.
The Sentence
The sentence of preventive detention means that Martin will be released only when the Parole Board determines that the risk has been reduced. Even if he is released, he will be managed by Corrections for the rest of his life, and can be recalled to prison at any time. The judge noted that separate psychological reports found Martin to be an above-average risk of committing similar offences in the future, and that his predilection to reoffend would overwhelm measures established to deter him.
The Impact on the Community
The impact of Martin’s crimes on the community has been significant. The mother of the victims spoke about the devastating impact on her daughters, and the judge noted that Martin’s offending has caused serious harm to the community. The sentence of preventive detention reflects the need to protect the community from Martin’s future offending, and ensures that he will be held accountable for his actions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Kelvin Martin’s sentence of preventive detention reflects the seriousness of his crimes and the need to protect the community from his future offending. The defendant’s history of sexual crimes is extensive, and his predilection to reoffend poses a significant risk to the community. The sentence ensures that Martin will be held accountable for his actions, and that the community will be protected from his future offending.