South East child sex offender Martyn Lee Howard had bail revoked ahead of sentencing

The family of a girl groomed and abused for years by a known child sex offender say they now have to deal with the guilt of believing his “lies”.

The great-grandfather of a young girl who was sexually assaulted by a known South-East sex offender said his family had been delivered the “greatest betrayal”.

Martyn Lee Howard, 68, abused the child for several years when she lived with relatives who believed he was wrongfully jailed for his past crimes.

Three victim impact statements were read to the District Court by prosecutor Damian Cunningham on Monday.

The victim’s great-grandmother said she had to deal with the guilt of knowing Howard had been previously convicted of child sex abuse but allowed herself to believe his “very plausible” story of why it was all lies.

The victim’s great-grandfather said Howard’s offending delivered them the “greatest betrayal”.

“Under the pretext of providing the care and love (the victim) craved, he was responsible for her persistent sexual abuse and associated grooming,” he said.

The court heard the victim had stopped going to school and disengaged from activities she once loved.

“She has been fearful of going out in the community due to the risk of seeing Martyn,” the victim’s great grandfather said.

“Since the trial (the victim) has been asking if Martin is in jail, she has talked about being worried that he would climb through her window at night.”

Martyn Lee Howard leaving the Mount Gambier courthouse at an earlier appearance. Picture: Arj Ganesan

Howard was found guilty of maintaining an unlawful sexual relationship with a child after a trial in the Mount Gambier District Court in March.

The court heard the victim’s relatives and Howard had been friends for some time and often had dinner at one another’s house.

Mr Cunningham said the offending occurred during those dinner parties and on one occasion in a forest behind Howard’s house.

During the walk Howard asked her if she wanted to touch his penis, to which she said no, the court heard.

Howard pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing child exploitation material.

The court heard police found 12 videos of “extremely graphic” child exploitation material, some with children under 10.

Nick Healy, for Howard, told the District Court on Monday the offending still wasn’t admitted.

During the trial Mr Healy described the victim as a “troubled young girl” known to “make facts up” and “fabricate” the truth.

He argued as her relatives knew of Howard’s criminal history they would have been “on alert” any time he was with the child.

The court heard Howard was a pensioner but previously worked as a laboratory manager at a local high school until he was charged with his first child sex offence.

The court heard Howard separated from his wife after he was charged with the offending but she remains “somewhat supportive”.

Mr Healy asked Judge Rauf Soulio to give Howard an opportunity to spend some remaining years in the community.

Judge Soulio revoked Howard’s bail and adjourned his sentencing until next month.