In 2026, the Offender Database reported that Martin Jackson, then 46, of Seymour Street, North Shields, Tyne and Wear, was sentenced to 24 years in prison for a “vile” campaign of sexual violence. On Monday, 2 February 2026, Jackson appeared at Newcastle Crown Court for sentencing after being convicted of 17 counts of child sexual abuse involving two school-aged girls in Sunderland.
The investigation established that Jackson targeted the victims and used “horrific” threats, including threatening one girl with a knife after raping her, to ensure their silence. The matter was reported to Northumbria Police in March 2022 after the survivors bravely confided in a family member. Following a complex inquiry by the force’s Safeguarding Department, Jackson was charged in September 2024. Despite his repeated denials of any wrongdoing, a jury found him guilty in December 2025 of eight counts of rape, five counts of sexual assault of a child, and four counts of engaging or inciting a sexual act with a child.
Judicial Findings and Investigative Detail
Detective Constable Gavin James emphasised that Jackson was a “sexual predator and a paedophile” who preys upon young victims for his own gratification. The court reported that Jackson sought total control over the girls through fear and physical threats. Statements from the survivors reported the devastating lifelong impact of his actions, including PTSD, panic attacks, and nightly flashbacks that continue to “haunt” them. One victim emphasised that the abuse repeats in her head “as if it were still happening” every time she leaves her home.
The judge emphasised the “immense courage” shown by the victims in standing up to their abuser decades after the initial crimes. The prosecution emphasised that Jackson’s 24-year term reflects the extreme gravity of his 17 convictions. For his crimes in Sunderland, the court determined that Jackson posed such a severe risk to the public that a significant custodial sentence followed by an extended licence period was the only appropriate outcome to ensure community safety.
Sentence and Statutory Requirements
For his crimes in Tyne and Wear, Martin Jackson was handed:
- Custodial Sentence: 24 years in immediate custody.
- Extended Licence: An additional one year to be spent on the licence following his release.
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are in effect for life.
- Convictions: Found guilty of 17 counts, including eight counts of rape, five counts of sexual assault, and four counts of inciting a sexual act with a child.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Jackson is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by Northumbria Police and the prison estate. Due to the high number of rape convictions and his history of using weapons to threaten children, his status remains under the highest level of scrutiny.
As a lifetime member of the Sex Offenders Register, Jackson must comply with mandatory notification requirements regarding his residence in Seymour Street, North Shields. Authorities state that his 24-year sentence provides a sense of comfort to the survivors, knowing their abuser is removed from society. Any breach of his registration conditions or the terms of his extended licence upon release will result in his immediate arrest and return to Newcastle Crown Court.
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