A 32-year-old man who groomed an underage girl online before repeatedly travelling to Doncaster to commit serious sexual offences has been sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment at Sheffield Crown Court.
Martin Norton, of no fixed address, appeared for sentence on Tuesday 29 September 2026. The sentencing followed an extensive safeguarding inquiry conducted by South Yorkshire Police into sustained sexual abuse perpetrated across 2025.
The court heard that Norton first made contact with the young victim via social media. He methodically deepened their interaction, asking the child to send provocative pictures and manipulating her into believing that they were in an exclusive romantic relationship. Once this rapport was established, Norton coordinated an in-person meeting. The survivor later informed investigating officers that Norton forced her to engage in sexual acts during that initial encounter.
Over the following weeks, Norton frequently travelled down from Newcastle to Doncaster. He reinforced his control over the child by purchasing gifts and meals, continuing to book hotel rooms to carry out sexual activity while also coercing her into committing sexual acts in public environments.
Under the provisions of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992, all victims of sexual offences are entitled to automatic, lifelong statutory anonymity from the moment an allegation is made. It is a criminal offence to publish, broadcast, or disclose any details, including names, addresses, school information, or photographs, that could lead to the public identification of the child victim across any print, broadcast, digital, or social media outlet.
The offending was brought to an end in November 2025 when South Yorkshire Police received community intelligence raising serious welfare concerns about a young girl being taken to local hotels. Attending officers located Norton in a hotel room in Doncaster and arrested him at the scene.
In her victim impact statement submitted to the court, the survivor described the enduring psychological damage inflicted by Norton, detailing how the abuse severely undermined her confidence, stripped away her sense of security, and left her struggling to trust others or leave her home unaccompanied.
Appearing before Sheffield Crown Court, Norton was sentenced to an immediate determinate term of nine years’ imprisonment. Under standard UK sentencing legislation for serious sexual offences, Norton must serve at least two-thirds of the nine-year custodial term in prison before the Parole Board will consider him for conditional release on licence under probation supervision.
In addition to the custodial sentence, the court ordered:
A 25-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) placing strict legal prohibitions on his device usage, online communications, and proximity to children
A 25-year restraining order forbidding any direct or indirect contact with the victim
Mandatory notification requirements on the Sex Offenders Register for the rest of his life under the Sexual Offences Act 2003
Officer in the case Detective Constable Lauren Harris paid tribute to the survivor:
“I hope Norton’s sentencing brings closure to the young girl who has been at the heart of our investigation.
“No one should have their childhood stripped and taken from them because of someone’s pervert actions.
“I want to commend the bravery that the young girl has showed throughout this investigation, her immense courage has ensured Norton will spend a significant amount of time behind bars.
“I also hope it sends a strong message to anyone who is a victim of any sexual offence, abusive, coercive behaviour; we will listen to you, we will support you and we will carry out a thorough investigation.”
Image – Anonymous Artist Impression
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