Epsom Downs man jailed for 12 years over child sexual abuse
Epsom Downs Man Jailed After Guildford Crown Court Trial
A man from Epsom Downs has been jailed for 12 years after being found guilty of serious sexual offences against a child. Martin Henriques, 57, was convicted in July 2026 following a trial at Guildford Crown Court. The charges covered three counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, three counts of making indecent images of a child, one count of possessing prohibited images of children and one count of possessing extreme pornography. He was sentenced at Chichester Crown Court on Friday, November 6.
For those of us living around Epsom Downs and across the borough, this case is a sharp reminder that harm can happen close to home. The investigation began in May 2023, when police received concerns that Henriques had committed sexual offences against a child. As officers worked the case, digital forensic work on his phone uncovered further indecent images and extreme pornography, which widened the scope of the charges.
Once Henriques is released from prison, he will also be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, or SHPO. These orders place legal restrictions on offenders to protect the public, and breaching one is a criminal offence. Police have described Henriques as a sexual predator with a history of offending, and the length of his sentence reflects the risk they believe he poses to children. Cases like this one pass through Guildford Crown Court, which serves much of Surrey, so local readers will often see these proceedings on their doorstep.
Police, Family and Support Services Respond to the Case
Detective Constable Helen Cridge led the investigation for Surrey Police. She praised the bravery of the victim, who spoke out about what happened, and acknowledged the support their family provided throughout the lengthy process. Speaking out is never easy, and her comments make clear that the victim’s courage is the reason this case reached a courtroom at all.
DC Cridge said that without that courage, Henriques’s predatory and manipulative behaviour may well have continued unchecked. Her words also point to a pattern that child protection professionals see regularly. People who are sexually interested in children often look for roles, relationships or environments that give them regular access to young people. Schools, sports clubs, childminders, neighbours and family friends are all places where that trust can be misused.
For local schools, nurseries and youth groups, the case reinforces the importance of safeguarding policies, clear reporting routes and staff training. Parents and carers who rely on these organisations can ask how they vet volunteers and staff, what their safeguarding lead does, and how concerns are escalated. Families affected by abuse can also seek support from specialist services, and the victim’s family’s role in the case shows how much a supportive household can matter in the aftermath of harm.
What Residents Should Know and Where to Get Help
Police have urged parents, carers and the wider community to stay alert to who they trust around children. Trust is essential, but it should be backed by good questions. If a new adult wants to spend one-to-one time with a child, offers unusual gifts or lifts, or asks to be left alone with young people, those are reasons to pause and talk. Local readers should feel able to raise concerns without being dismissed.
This also applies to people who come into the home. Many households in Surrey hire tradespeople for projects such as bathroom refurbishment, kitchen renovation or a bathroom fitter visit. Before work starts, check that the business is registered and insured, ask for references, and confirm whether the worker has an enhanced DBS check where relevant. If children are at home, arrange for an adult to be present during works and avoid leaving young people alone with contractors.
Anyone who has experienced abuse can report it to Surrey Police, either by calling 101 or using the force’s online reporting form, which lets people make an initial report at their own pace. In an emergency, call 999. Support is available from the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000. If you have concerns about someone with previous convictions, the Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme allows parents and carers to ask police whether a person poses a risk to a child. Keep an eye on Surrey Police updates for any further developments in the case.
Source: ‘Predatory and manipulative’ man who sexually abused child jailed
