West Wight Paedophile Is Jailed For 'Life' For Child Sex Offences

A West Wight paedophile, who made more than 200,000 indecent images of children, has been jailed for life.

Jonathan Richard Maertens, 35, of Richmond Meade, Freshwater, admitted a number of child sexual offences, including rape and sexual assaults against nine victims.

Appearing at the Isle of Wight Crown Court today (Monday), it was said that he made 209,380 indecent images of children and 9,027 movies, ranging from the most serious Category A to Category C - over a period of ten years.

He recorded footage of himself sexually abusing female children aged between 4 and 17.

Maertens in many cases edited the footage and stored it on hard drives at his home.  

The court heard the devices were seized when officers executed a warrant at his home address.

Maertens was handed a life sentence, to serve a minimum of 16 years before he can be considered for parole.

DI Toby Elcock, of Hampshire Constabulary’s Major Crime Team, said:

“Jonathan Maertens manipulated situations to facilitate access to children, including in some cases stupefying them, before recording his abuse.

“His actions have caused unfathomable damage to the girls and their families and I hope that this sentence can provide them with the justice they deserve.  Services will continue to support these children and their families so that they can start to move on with their lives.  

"Our investigation has also sought to safeguard other children that may have been in contact with Meartens.  I am therefore appealing to anyone who has concerns about their previous contact with him or has any wider concerns to contact Hampshire Police quoting Operation Foundry.

“This sentence reflects the severity of these crimes and we would encourage anyone who has been the victim of sexual abuse to report this to the police."

Maertens pleaded guilty to 34 separate indictments:

•             10 multiple incident counts of rape of a child under 13

•             Three counts including two multiple incident counts of assault of a child under 13 by penetration

•             Five counts of sexual assault of a child under 13

•             Three counts including one multiple incident count of rape of a child

•             Two multiple incident counts of assault by penetration of a child

•             Three counts of sexual assault of a child

•             Three counts of taking indecent photographs of a child

•             One count of making indecent photographs of a child

•             Three counts including two multiple incident counts of administering a substance with intent

•             One count of possessing a paedophile manual 

Superintendent Sarah Jackson, District Commander for the Isle of Wight, said:

"The officers involved in this incredibly difficult and complex case have worked extremely hard to identify each of the victims and provide them and their families with the support they need, as well as ensuring they presented a case which saw a guilty plea, saving those involved the trauma of a trial.

"We take all reports of sexual assault very seriously, and will do everything in our power to bring those responsible to justice.

"It is so important to us that people have the confidence to report these incidents to us, whether they have happened to you or somebody you know. It is also important to us that survivors and their families are provided with the support they need, and we work in partnership with other organisations to ensure this happens."

Maertens was also made subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order and is banned from working with children and vulnerable adults.

He has also been placed on the sex offenders' register.

A specialist team of officers have identified all the children who the defendant has committed offences against and they and their families have been provided with cross agency support throughout. 

An NSPCC spokesperson said:

"Maertens’ actions will no doubt have caused untold distress to his victims. We hope this sentencing gives them and their families some measure of closure.

“Hampshire Constabulary must be commended for identifying all those children that Maertens committed offences against, allowing them to access help and support as soon as possible so they can begin their recovery.”

Anyone who has been a victim of child abuse, or has any information about this type of abuse, is encouraged to contact police on 101.

Alternatively, contact Child Line on 0800 11 11, or if you are an adult who has been affected, you can call the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000