THIS is the moment a sweating fugitive paedo was snared in Thailand before being hauled back to Scotland to face justice.
The images were released after warped John Martin was jailed for three years for subjecting two girls to horror attacks that had “life-long effects” on his victims.
Former antique dealer Martin, 74, was sentenced at Edinburgh Sheriff Court where it was revealed the ageing fiend fears he’ll die in jail.
He was earlier found guilty of subjecting two young girls to a campaign of sexual abuse lasting almost a decade between the mid-1980s and 1990s.
Martin fled to the South East Asian country where he set up a new life but the law caught up with him in September last year when he was nicked in Bangkok.
Duncan Burrage, the National Crime Agency’s liaison officer for Thailand, said: “John Martin thought he could base himself overseas and escape justice for his sex crimes against children in the UK.
“His arrest and return to Scotland to face these charges is down to the collective efforts of Police Scotland, NCA officers overseas, the Royal Thai Police’s Central Investigation Bureau and the Thai Office of the Attorney General.
“This case highlights the NCA’s determination to track down and bring to justice Britishchild sex offenders, wherever they are in the world and however long it takes. We and our international partners will never stop looking for them.”
The court heard Martin carried out sick acts on a girl at historic Letham House– a 17th century mansion near Haddington, East Lothian.
He also targeted a second youngster at addresses in Perth and St Andrews in the 1990s.
Both victims bravely gave evidence to the jury stating they had been sexually assaulted by Martin while they visited his former homes.
Martin denied any wrongdoing but was found guilty by the jury who returned majority guilty verdicts to charges of him using lewd, indecent and libidinous practices.
Sheriff Alastair Noble said: “You have been convicted by a jury of serious offences. The two victim impact statements provided to me demonstrate your offending has had a lifelong effect on both of them.
“It is plain that only custody can be imposed in respect of these matters.
“You continue to deny these matters and have shown no remorse.”
Martin was jailed for a total of 39 months and was placed on the sex offenders register for an indefinite period.
The sheriff also imposed non-harassment orders prohibiting Martin from having any contact with the victims for 20 years.
The court was told Martin had been arrested in Thailand on an International Extradition Warrant and has spent the last 14 months in custody.
His family in Thailand are said to “remain supportive” and that Martin plans to return to the country when he is released.
The court also heard Martin has suffered two bouts of cancer and is “extremely apprehensive he will die within the prison system here in Scotland”.
VICTIMS' COURAGE
BY GRAHAM MANN
A PROSECUTOR has hailed the courage of sex abuse victims who helped snare a fugitive paedo decades after he preyed on them.
Lynne Barrie, procurator fiscal for Lothian and Borders, paid tribute to the women who gave evidence against John Martin during a harrowing court ordeal.
The fiend was jailed after being extradited from Thailand and brought to trial at Edinburgh Sheriff Court where a jury yesterday found him guilty.
Ms Barrie said: “John Martin is a sexual predator who preyed on vulnerable young girls over a number of years, inflicting significant trauma.
“It is thanks to their strength and courage in coming forward and reporting the abuse that he has now been brought to justice.
“COPFS is committed to securing justice for victims of sexual abuse, regardless of when the offences occurred.
“We will work with police, and international partners where necessary, to track down and prosecute those responsible.
“I would encourage anyone affected by similar offending to come forward and report it, no matter how much time has passed.
“You will be listened to and supported, and we will use all the tools available to us to secure justice.”
The trial heard Martin, who owned an antiques business in Edinburgh’s Grassmarket area, had left Scotland and moved to Thailand around 2010 and married a local woman and the pair had a child together.
The jury found he abused the first victim and instructed her to pose in a provocative way, exposing her underwear and taking photos.
A not proven verdict was returned by the jury to Martin using lewd, indecent and libidinous practices towards a third child.
Police Scotland’s Sergeant Richard Robson today urged other victims to come forward.
He said: “This was a complex and disturbing case and it is right that John Martin now has to face the consequences of his disgraceful actions.
“My thoughts remain with the victims and their families, and coming forward proved significant in our enquiries.
“They have shown immense courage in reporting these crimes so that Martin can be held accountable for his actions. I hope that his sentencing gives them some comfort and closure.
“Police Scotland is wholly committed to tackling all cases of child abuse, regardless of when the crimes occurred, and we will continue to work alongside our partners to support any victims and ensure offenders are brought to justice.
“I would encourage anyone who has been impacted by this type of crime to report it.
“This case is also a good example of successful collaborative working between Police Scotland’s Extradition Unit, our partners at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and internal colleagues in Thailand in order to bring Martin to justice.”