Martin Hogg

Martin Hogg, a 73-year-old man from Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, was jailed for nine years at Cambridge Crown Court following his admission of guilt to a series of serious child sex offences. The crimes, described by investigating officers as 'truly awful', targeted nine young children and spanned from 31 August 2024 to 15 February 2025.

Hogg initially pleaded guilty to three offences at Suffolk Magistrates' Court, relating to one victim. These included sexual communications with a child, causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and causing or inciting a child to watch a sexual activity. At a subsequent hearing on Thursday, 22 May at Cambridge Crown Court, he admitted to a further 18 offences involving seven additional victims. The charges encompassed multiple counts of meeting a child following sexual grooming, causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, sexual activity with a child, and sexual communication with a child.

Following the initial pleas, another child victim was identified, leading to three additional sexual offences being taken into consideration after Hogg's acceptance of guilt. In total, his actions affected nine young children, causing significant and lasting harm to the victims and their families.

DC Nick Parkinson-Hill, the investigating officer from Suffolk Constabulary, commented on the severity of the case: 'The crimes committed by Hogg against the nine young victims in relation to grooming offences and sexual activity with children were truly awful. The impact this has had on the victims and their families has been hard to accept and the impact of the offences continues to have on them is truly upsetting.' He praised the bravery of the victims in coming forward and noted that Hogg's guilty pleas spared them from giving evidence in court.

In addition to the nine-year custodial sentence, Hogg was subjected to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order to protect the public from further harm. The case was investigated by Suffolk Constabulary, who emphasised their commitment to pursuing allegations of sexual assault, whether recent or historic.