Former Schoolteacher Gets Five Years For Sexually Abusing Young Boys During Sleepovers

A pedophile ex-schoolteacher, who slashed his wrists hours before he was due to be sentenced for the abuse of two young boys, received five years imprisonment today.

Martin Smith, 64, of Llandybie Road, Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, who transfixed the impressionable youngsters with elaborate ghost tales, had been rushed to hospital forty-eight hours earlier to be treated for the self-inflicted wounds.

Woolwich Crown Court listed the case for an update and to potentially adjourn for medical and psychiatric reports, but in a surprising move Judge David Tomlinson proceeded to sentencing.

The judge also made a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which imposes restrictions on Smith when he is released and he must also sign the sex-offenders register for an indefinite period.

Two days earlier Smith was taken from his hotel in Horsham, West Sussex to a local accident and emergency department hours before he was due to be sentenced for one count of indecent assault in relation to each boy, plus two counts of repeated indecency with each child on multiple occasions between 1979 and 1982.

One count of indecency with a third boy was allowed to lie on the file.

He was convicted by a jury who heard the former Camberwell primary school teacher abused the young boys, aged between eight and ten, during sleepovers at his former home in St. Julian's Farm Road, West Norwood on the eve of organised trips.

He was arrested and charged after internet communication between the complainants on Facebook and Friends Reunited.

Smith employed the ghost stories to instigate some of the abuse, urging one of the youngsters to "punish the ghost" by touching him intimately.

The boys were "absorbed" by his imaginative ghost tales, which usually involved World War One soldiers.

They stayed at Smith's two-bedroom flat to get an early start on various school trips and one of the victim's thought he felt the presence of a ghost during a visit to an old music hall, such was the influence of the defendant's stories.

The same victim told police he was also caned and spanked by Smith and one one occasion confirmed bachelor Smith put him in a nappy.

The truth only started coming out when the victim confided in his wife that a schoolteacher had abused him.

He approached police with his complaint in November 2011 and officers contacted the second victim, who confirmed similar abuse occurred when he stayed at Smith's flat.

Confirmed bachelor Smith insisted throughout the trial that he never touched the boys and claimed to recall one of the victim's warning: "I'll get you for that," after a caning.

He also said he overheard the same boy making plans to get money as a result of sexual activity.