Retired music teacher Martin Fisher of Cornhill-on-Tweed is jailed for grooming and abusing underage girl

Martin Fisher, 80, of Pallinsburn, near Cornhill, started a sexual relationship with the teen – who is six decades his junior - while she was underage.

The retired widower was arrested in January 2021 and pleaded guilty at Newcastle Crown Court in December to 11 counts of sexual activity with a child.

He was sentenced to six years behind bars at that same court by a judge last Thursday, must sign the sex offenders' register for life, was given an indefinite restraining order and was made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order.

Detective Constable Graeme Cole, of Northumbria Police’s safeguarding department, led the investigation and praised the victim’s courage.

He said: “Retired teacher Fisher preyed on his victim and manipulated her into keeping quiet by telling her he loved her and trying to convince her that theirs was a natural relationship and she might one day be his next wife.”

He added: “It took great courage for the victim to confide in her friends and I want to praise her bravery in coming forward and also praise her friends for supporting her and encouraging her to speak out.”

The court heard Fisher – who had never been in trouble before – and the girl engaged in sexual activity before she was 16 and had sex after she reached that age.

At the time, the girl said what was happening made her feel "really grown up" and the pair had discussed getting married.

The police were involved at one point, but the girl denied anything sexual had taken place. However, upon reaching adulthood, she realised she needed to tell the authorities about what had happened.

Speaking after the case, Oriana Frame, a senior crown prosecutor with CPS North East’s Rape and Serious Sexual Assault (RASSO) Unit, said: “Martin Fisher groomed his young victim into a lengthy sexual relationship in full knowledge of her age.

“In a credible account provided to police, his victim described how she felt like she was in a relationship with Fisher and couldn’t tell anyone what was happening.

“Fisher’s laptop was also found to contain diaries, letters and emails written by him, which clearly demonstrated his sexual interest in the victim from the start.

"The Crown Prosecution Service has used this evidence to build a robust case against Fisher, securing his early guilty pleas to all charges.

“We sincerely hope that the sentence provides some measure of comfort to the complainant in this case.”

A victim impact statement was read to the court, in which the complainant revealed she had suffered emotional torment as a result of Fisher’s actions. She said: "I wish to say this has been extremely difficult for me to deal with. I started having suicidal thoughts and it was a massive relief when he pleaded guilty.

"He should not be around children. He destroyed my teenage years for his benefit."

Sue Hirst, representing Fisher, said the pair had cared for each other and her client did not pressurise the girl into doing anything, but he accepted the relationship was inappropriate and he was sorry for any hurt he had caused her.