Spontaneous rounds of applause were heard at Hull Crown Court as the judge jailed him for 14 years
Martin Tidder, pictured outside Hull Crown Court during a previous hearing(Image: Hull Live)
A serial sex offender who targeted three young boys, including raping one of them, during a catalogue of “disgustingly destructive” behaviour, has been jailed for 14 years. The victims suffered “catastrophic” and “seismic” damage from the serious sexual abuse that they suffered from him, Hull Crown Court heard.
Martin Tidder, 36, of Brazil Street, off Holderness Road, east Hull, denied a series of offences, including rape, sexual assault of a child under 13, assault by touching and causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, but he was convicted by a jury on February 4 after a trial. He was cleared of other offences.
David Godfrey, prosecuting, said that the harm caused by Tidder had been “severe” and one of the victims described it as “disgustingly destructive”. Another victim condemned the “selfish and manipulative behaviour” of Tidder and said that the abuse caused a serious emotional effect.
The third victim said that the abuse had a “massive effect”. Tidder had used grooming behaviour. “Grooming is a key feature,” said Mr Godfrey. Tidder took steps to prevent the victims reporting the matters to the police. There had been a “seismic” effect because of the offences.
During the trial, Mr Godfrey claimed that Tidder “liked little boys” and he showed “cartoon pornography” to two of the boys to get them “interested in that sort of thing” before engaging in sexual activity with them.
He claimed that Tidder was “interested in this sort of sexual activity” and the boys were a “vehicle” in which he could “exercise those sorts of desires”. Tidder denied this.
Mr Godfrey claimed: “You sexually abused all three of them, didn’t you? These three lads are telling the truth. You sexually abused them.” Tidder replied: “No.” He told the court: “It didn’t happen.”
Tidder had been on bail during the trial but he was remanded in custody after being convicted by the jury. While he was on bail, he could frequently be seen laughing and joking while he was out on the court concourse and outside the building during breaks in the trial.
One of the victims told a sentencing hearing that Tidder was “laughing throughout the whole case”. There was no smiling or laughing, however, from him during the sentencing hearing.
Julia Baggs, mitigating, said: “The defendant was convicted after a trial and there is little that can be said in the circumstances.” She said of the offences: “It’s clearly had an impact on everyone.”
Tidder had previously worked full-time and he had the support of some people who knew him. Tidder will be on extended licence of one year after he is released from prison. He will have to register as a sex offender for life.
As he left the secure dock to be taken down to the cells, he ran through the inner door that had been opened for him – but he immediately fell flat onto his face on the floor. He had to be helped to his feet by a dock custody officer.
The public gallery and another nearby area were completely packed with people connected with the victims. They broke out into two separate spontaneous rounds of applause as the case finished.
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