Martin Tidder, 36, was seen laughing and joking outside Hull Crown Court while on trial for rape and sexual assault against young boys – but the smirk was wiped off his face in the dock
A paedophile who preyed on three young boys and raped one of them was seen “laughing throughout the whole case.” But the smile was wiped off Martin Tidder’s face when he was jailed for 14 years, tripping and falling on his face on his way out of the dock, sending Hull Crown Court into raptures of applause.
The serial sex offender embarked on a spree of “disgustingly destructive” acts, subjecting his victims to “catastrophic” and “seismic” harm.The 36-year-old from Brazil Streetin east Hull, denied a raft of charges, 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 found guilty by a jury following a trial. Prosecutor David Godfrey stated that the damage caused by Tidder had been “severe”, with one victim describing it as “disgustingly destructive”.
Another victim slammed Tidder’s “selfish and manipulative behaviour”, stating that the abuse had a serious emotional impact. The third victim revealed that the abuse had a “massive effect”. Tidder had employed grooming tactics, reports Hull Live.
“Grooming is a key feature,” Mr Godfrey pointed out. Tidder took measures to stop the victims from reporting the incidents to the police. The offences had a “seismic” impact.
During the trial, Mr Godfrey said that Tidder “liked little boys” and he exposed two of them to “cartoon pornography” to pique their interest.
Prosecutor Mr Godfrey asked him: “You sexually abused all three of them, didn’t you? These three lads are telling the truth. You sexually abused them.”
To which Tidder retorted: “No.”
He maintained his innocence in court, stating: “It didn’t happen.”
Throughout the trial, Tidder had been on bail, often seen laughing and joking around the court premises during breaks. However, his demeanour changed dramatically when he was remanded into custody after being found guilty by the jury.
One of the victims noted at the sentencing hearing that Tidder was “laughing throughout the whole case”.
But in a final twist, as Tidder was led away from the secure dock to the cells, he sprinted through the inner door that had been opened for him, only to trip and fall flat on his face. A dock custody officer had to assist him back onto his feet.
The packed public gallery erupted into two separate spontaneous rounds of applause.
Tidder, who previously held a full-time job and had some support from acquaintances, will be subject to an extended licence of one year upon release from prison. He will also be required to register as a sex offender for life.