Martin Shaun Slater

A former resident of Scarborough has been imprisoned for more than 15 years following his conviction for historic child sex offences against two young victims. Martin Shaun Slater, aged 53 and currently of no fixed address, was found guilty by a jury at York Crown Court of 16 serious sexual crimes committed during the 1980s and early 2000s.

The offences, which Slater denied throughout the trial, involved repeated abuse starting when one victim, a boy, was just seven years old, and the other, a girl, was five. The abuse persisted into their teenage years, causing profound and lasting harm to the victims' mental health and family lives. The jury delivered guilty verdicts on 29 July 2024 after a thorough examination of the evidence.

• Four counts of indecent assault on a girl under 16
• Engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a girl under 13
• Two counts of sexual touching against a girl aged between 8 and 9
• One count of sexual touching against a girl aged between 8 and 9 including penetration
• Eight counts of gross indecency with a boy under 14

Sentencing occurred on 7 October 2024 at York Crown Court, where Judge Andrew Menary imposed a total custodial term of 15 years and six months. In addition to the prison sentence, Slater was made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, two lifelong restraining orders barring contact with the victims, and indefinite placement on the sex offenders register. The court heard poignant testimony on the devastating impact of the abuse, which permeated every aspect of the victims' lives from childhood into adulthood.

Detective Constable Leah Gillon, the investigating officer from Scarborough CID at North Yorkshire Police, commented on the case: 'Slater has caused immeasurable harm to the victims which has affected all of their lives and that of their families. They are to be commended for coming forward and reporting the abuse.' She highlighted the courage of the victims in reporting long-suppressed trauma and expressed hope that the convictions provide closure. Gillon also encouraged other potential victims to come forward, assuring them of thorough investigations and specialist support. The case was reported by Teesside Live on 8 October 2024, drawing from court proceedings and police statements.