'Dangerous' serial paedophile who befriended young families given additional 22-year jail term

The big picture: Martin Woods, formerly of Hadleigh and already serving a lengthy jail term for the rape, sexual assault, and making indecent images of a child, was found guilty by a jury in December 2024 of six offences against another child.

The crimes occurred more than 10 years ago.

The details:

• Woods, 46, received a 22-year sentence with an extended licence period of six years.

• He was convicted of three counts of attempted assault on a girl under 13 by penetration, two counts of rape of a girl under 13, and one count of assault of a girl under 13 by touching.

• The sentence will run alongside an existing term from 2021 for rape, sexual assault, and making indecent images of children involving a different victim.

What they're saying: Detective Constable Kate Hutson described Woods as "a dangerous offender who has shown a pattern of behaviour in befriending young families in order to sexually abuse children."

In a statement to the court, the victim described her struggle to speak about the abuse, saying "the words were pushed in so far that she didn't know how to get them out." Judge Emma Peters commended the victim's bravery and resilience throughout the investigation and trial.

Support available:

• Suffolk Police can be contacted on 101

• The Suffolk Sexual Assault Referral Centre (The Ferns) offers confidential support on 0330 223 0099

• Local charity Survivors in Transition provides specialist support for survivors

• Brave Futures offers therapeutic services for young people up to age 21

The bottom line: Woods will serve at least 14 years and eight months before being eligible for parole. He remains on the sex offenders register for life and is subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.