The master of Essex Police Band was branded a paedophile by a judge on Friday.

Jeremy Martin admitted indecently assaulting a six-year-old boy at a house in Colchester last October.

When police went to his home in Chatham, Kent, they found over 1,400 photographs and computer images of children. Most were of young children posing but some were sexually explicit and depicted pain, said Judge Benjamin Pearson sitting at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Of previous good character, Martin, 44, of Royal Sun Avenue, Kent, was jailed for four and a half years and the judge extended his licence for another five year meaning he could be recalled to prison if he reoffends within the next 10 years.

Martin must sign the Sex Offenders Register for life and was banned for life from applying or getting involved with any job which could bring him into contact with children age under 17. All the material was confiscated.

The judge told Martin, "You are shamed, but you have done what you could to minimise the trauma."

The judge added, "The courts treat these offences with gravity. Possessing and downloading these images encourages others to abuse children. Some of the images make a person of reasonable strength feel nausea."

Martin admitted one charge of indecent assault on September 29 last year and 11 of making or possessing indecent images of children.

Adam Budworth, prosecuting, said Martin shared a room with the boy after attending a dinner party in at a house in the Colchester area.

The boy screamed in the night. His father collected him and later learned that Martin had indecently touched him. Martin returned to Kent and e-mailed the father saying, "I don't know. Thank you for your friendship over the past years. Goodbye."

Police went to Martin's home and found a noose hanging from the rafters and a note addressed to Martin's estranged wife. As well as being band master for Essex Police Band Martin had given music tuition to children.

Folders of indecent photographs and computer images of children were found at his home. He denied they were for sexual gratification and said he had them merely as an interest in beauty and art.

Mr Budworth said some of the material referred to incestuous sexual relationships which was contrary to anything artistic.

Gareth Hughes, mitigating, said there was no suggestion of commercial gain or distribution. There was an emotional background to the offences.

After leaving the army Martin worked full time as an auditing accountant and part-time music teacher.

Published Monday, January 20, 2003

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