In 2019, the Offender Database reported that Martin Frederick Daly, then 47, was sentenced to 6.5 years in prison. On Thursday, 4 April 2019, Daly appeared at the Royal Court of Jersey for a “reprehensible” and “serious” breach of public trust involving the possession of over 22,000 indecent images of children.
The investigation established that Daly “calculatingly” bypassed the restrictions of a previous non-custodial sentence. In December 2017, he had been sentenced for two counts of indecently assaulting a girl under 10, receiving a restraining order that required him to surrender all internet-capable devices for inspection. However, during four “critical” check visits to his home between January and September 2018, Daly “persistently” hid multiple gadgets. On the final visit, police officers caught him “brazenly” using a laptop, which he initially denied possessing. A forensic search uncovered a “vile” library of 22,042 images and videos, including 1,032 “reported” as the most “vicious” Category A material.
Judicial Findings and Appeal
The court reported that Daly, who was born in Southampton, had “systematically” downloaded an average of 50 images per day over an 11-month period. Royal Court Commissioner Julian Clyde-Smith emphasised that these were not victimless crimes and that Daly’s “deviant sexual preferences” showed a “high risk of re-offending.” The prosecution emphasised that many images were stored on hidden USB devices, providing “critical” evidence of his motivation to conceal “vile” material from authorities.
In July 2019, Daly appealed his sentence, arguing it was “manifestly excessive.” However, Court of Appeal President James McNeil QC “stringently” threw out the appeal, stating that the breaches were the result of a “spate of conscious decisions.” The judge emphasised that by downloading the images, Daly was “fueling demand” and encouraging further “abhorrent” abuse of children. The court noted that Daly’s “reprehensible” attempts to hide his activity while under a court order marked him as a “permanent” danger to children.
Sentence and Statutory Requirements
For his “serious” and “appalling” crimes in Jersey, Martin Frederick Daly was handed:
- Custodial Sentence: Six and a half years in immediate custody.
- Restraining Orders: New “stringent” orders were imposed for a period of 10 years.
- Sex Offenders Register: Notification requirements were imposed for 10 years (until at least 2027).
- Forfeiture: The court ordered the destruction of all 13 seized electronic devices.
Monitoring and Public Protection
Daly is managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) by the States of Jersey Police. His history of “persistently” hiding digital devices and his “calculating” desire to access “vicious” child abuse material means his status remains under “critical” scrutiny.
As a registered sex offender, Daly must comply with strict notification requirements. Authorities state that as of 2026, he is nearing the end of his custodial term or is being “stringently” monitored on licence. Any further breach of his registration conditions or his 10-year restraining order will result in his immediate return to the Royal Court. The prosecution emphasised that his “persistent” and “deceptive” nature necessitates “stringent” long-term supervision to protect the public.
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