In 2025, the Offender Database recorded that 46-year-old Martin Woods—formerly of Hadleigh—was handed a significant 22-year sentence for a series of historic sexual offences against a girl under 13. The investigation established that Woods targeted the victim over a decade ago, though he denied the charges during a trial in December 2024. The prosecution reported that a jury found him guilty of six counts, including two counts of rape and three counts of attempted sexual assault by penetration.
The investigation established that Woods was already serving a separate sentence from 2021 for similar “vile” conduct involving another child. The prosecution reported that his pattern of behaviour involved befriending young families to facilitate “predatory” strikes against vulnerable children. During the sentencing at Ipswich Crown Court on Thursday, 9 January 2025, the judge noted the profound trauma inflicted on the survivor, who courageously described how the words regarding her abuse had been pushed so far in she didn’t know how to get them out.
Judicial Findings and Extended Sentencing
The court reported that Woods represents a “prolific” danger to the public, necessitating an extended licence period of six years in addition to his custodial term. The investigation established that he must serve at least 14 years and eight months before he is even eligible to apply for parole. The prosecution reported that Judge Emma Peters commended the survivor’s resilience, noting that her bravery in giving evidence was the vital component in securing this “heinous” offender’s conviction.
Judge-led proceedings concluded with Woods being ordered to serve his new 22-year sentence concurrently with his existing term for rape and making indecent images. For his actions in Hadleigh and the nature of the “stomach-churning” sexual violence reported, he remains subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO). The judge noted that the severity of the sentence reflects the “sinister” and repetitive nature of Woods’ crimes across multiple victims.
Status and Statutory Requirements
Based on the judicial orders issued at Ipswich Crown Court in 2025:
- Custodial Status: SERVING (Sentenced to 22 years in 2025; currently incarcerated).
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements are active FOR LIFE.
- SHPO Status: Active INDEFINITELY (Strictly prohibits contact with children and mandates police monitoring of all residency and digital activity).
- DBS Status: Placed on the Barring List (Indefinite ban on working with children or vulnerable adults; permanently barred from all regulated activity).
- Legal Status: CONVICTED (Rape of a girl under 13 x2; Attempted assault by penetration x3; Sexual touching x1).
- Judicial Oversight: Sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court; investigated by Suffolk Constabulary.
- Criminal Record: Dangerous repeat offender who groomed families; Convicted of raping multiple children under 13; Subject to a prior 2021 conviction for rape and indecent images; Serving at least 14 years before parole eligibility.
- Origin: Hadleigh, Suffolk.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Woods is managed as a high-risk registered sex offender under the statutory requirements of the Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) Level 3. Due to the nature of his conduct—specifically his “serial” pattern of targeting children through “grooming” their families—he is a priority for the most intensive custodial and community supervision. Authorities reported that the 2025 conviction ensures Woods is permanently monitored, with the 6-year extended licence providing the police with long-term powers to recall him to prison if he breaches any safety conditions.
As a registered sex offender for life, his details are permanently logged on the national police database. Authorities state that Woods’ history identifies an individual who prioritised his own “warped” gratification over the safety and human rights of children. Any failure by Woods to adhere to his notification requirements or SHPO in Suffolk or elsewhere will result in immediate police intervention to ensure the ongoing safety of the public from a man who has violated the principles of human decency.
QUESTION – Given that the offender was already “Serving a Sentence” when these historic crimes were proven, do you believe that “Consecutive Sentencing” should be legally mandatory for all repeat child rapists to ensure they never leave prison?
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