Martin Jackson

Martin Jackson, a 46-year-old man from North Shields, was jailed for 24 years following his conviction on 17 counts of child sexual abuse. The offences, which occurred when the victims were school-aged girls, took place in Sunderland and involved severe acts of sexual violence, including threats with a knife after one rape incident.

The case came to light in March 2022 when the victims bravely disclosed the non-recent abuse to a family member, prompting Northumbria Police to launch an investigation. Jackson was questioned shortly thereafter but denied any wrongdoing. However, a thorough probe by the Force’s Safeguarding Department uncovered substantial evidence, leading to his charging in September 2024 with five counts of sexual assault of a child, four counts of engaging or inciting a sexual act with a child, and eight counts of rape.

In December 2025, Jackson stood trial and was found guilty on all counts. On 2 February 2026, he appeared before Newcastle Crown Court, where the judge imposed a 24-year custodial sentence, with an additional year on licence. Jackson was also placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life. The court heard poignant impact statements from the survivors, detailing the profound and lasting effects on their mental health.

• One victim described suffering from PTSD, stating: “It haunts me every day – saying when they leave the house or go to work ‘it comes back like a train plummeting at me.’ When I am at home, I am alone with the flashbacks of the abuse. It is constantly repeating in my head, as if it were still happening.”
• She further noted: “You would think my escape would be sleep, however, every single night I jolt awake from those nightmares that was my life for several years.”

Detective Constable Gavin James, who led the investigation for Northumbria Police, described Jackson as “a sexual predator and a paedophile who preyed upon his young victims for his own sexual gratification.” He highlighted Jackson’s desire for control, including threats to silence the girls, and commended the victims’ courage in coming forward. The sentencing was reported by Northumbria Police on their official website, emphasising the significance of the outcome in providing some measure of justice for the survivors.