Nicholas Martin, 63, ‘stalked’ his wife Emma for days before turning up at her home in the middle of the night, pouring petrol through her letterbox and setting it alight
A fire-starter who attempted to kill his wife by torching her house whilst she slept has been locked up for 30 years. Nicholas Martin, 63, pursued his wife Emma for several days before arriving at her property in the early hours, dousing petrol through her letterbox and igniting it.
She found herself trapped on the upper floor of the Eccles residence and was compelled to leap from her bedroom window to flee. Ms Martin, 52, a high-ranking civil servant with His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, sustained fractures to both ankles and her spine.
Martin, previously head of estates at Salford Royal Hospital and the Manchester Royal Infirmary, escaped to the Lake District but was apprehended the next day, reports the Manchester Evening News. Following his conviction for attempted murder, Martin has now received a 30-year prison term.
During sentencing at Minshull Street Crown Court in Manchester today (Nov 10), Judge Maurice Greene declared to Martin: “The evidence I am satisfied shows that this was a wicked, planned and premeditated attack carried out at a time when the victim was asleep, and therefore most vulnerable.”
Ms Martin, who endured months confined to a wheelchair and continues to rely on crutches for mobility, observed as her husband was imprisoned.
His barrister noted that considering his age and the lengthy sentence imposed, Martin could die whilst incarcerated. Ms Martin recounted the tragic loss of her cherished cat TC, who perished in a fire at her home on Montonmill Gardens on October 22 last year.
The couple had connected on a dating app in 2019 and quickly tied the knot.
In August 2021, they embarked on a trip to Scotland to celebrate Martin’s birthday. However, during the holiday, Martin assaulted her, repeatedly pulling her to the ground, pushing her against the wall, and preventing her from leaving.
She sustained bruises from the ‘vicious and sustained’ attack. Despite this incident, the couple reconciled.
Ms Martin confessed that she didn’t confide in anyone about the assault and tried to act as if it hadn’t occurred. But as she continued to relive the attack through flashbacks, Ms Martin decided to report the incident to the police last year.
He was subsequently arrested and released on strict bail conditions, which required him to reside at an address in Leicester and prohibited him from contacting her or visiting her Eccles residence.
However, in the early hours of October 21 last year, he showed up outside her house, poured petrol through the letterbox, and set the property on fire. Ms Martin was jolted awake by the sound of the letterbox closing, followed by the ‘crackling sounds’ of a fire.
As smoke filled the house, making it hard for her to breathe, she tried to rescue her distressed cat downstairs but was forced to retreat upstairs due to the intensity of the smoke. She then leapt out of the first-floor window, resulting in severe injuries to her ankles and back.
Martin was eventually apprehended at a hotel in Windemere, where police discovered a petrol can filled with fuel in his room. Despite admitting to starting the fire during the trial, Martin denied any intention to murder his wife.
Nevertheless, the jury convicted him of assault causing actual bodily harm and attempted murder, while he was acquitted of controlling and coercive behaviour.
His barrister, Steven Swift, commented on Martin’s situation, stating: “He has an awareness that at his age, he may not live to be released.”
In a heartfelt statement read out in court, Ms Martin expressed her devastation: “Martin’s vile and monstrous actions have utterly destroyed and decimated my life through his abuse of me during our relationship, and the continuation and heinous escalation of his abuse of me after our relationship ended and he was arrested, charged with domestic abuse offences and bailed.”
She continued: “Martin has irrevocably changed the lives of my family members and I will forever remain wracked with guilt at bringing such a dangerous and destructive man into our lives, and at how close my son and daughter came to the murder of their mum, and my mum came to the murder of her only child.”
Reflecting on her recovery journey, she added: “During my recovery, there were times during this period when I wished I had died in the fire when I saw the pain and anxiety on the faces of my family members, but thanks to their resilience, love and courage, I somehow managed to keep moving forward and pushed through the darkest days.”
Martin, from Bosworth Street, Leicester, was informed he would spend two-thirds of his sentence in prison. An indefinite restraining order was also issued.
Following the hearing, Detective Constable Zoe Bellis, of Salford CID, expressed her gratitude to the victim: “Firstly, I would like to thank the victim for having the courage to report this ordeal to us.”
She further praised the victim’s resilience during the investigation: “I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the victim for her unwavering support throughout the investigation. Her strength has been instrumental in helping us build the strongest possible case against her abuser and ensuring he is held accountable.”
Bellis hoped that the outcome would aid the victim’s recovery: “I hope today’s result marks the beginning of her journey toward healing, with the reassurance that justice has been served for the manipulative and appalling acts committed against her.”
She also encouraged other potential victims to come forward: “Anybody who thinks they may have been a victim of domestic abuse can contact Greater Manchester Police at any time. We will provide support, conduct thorough investigations, and take firm action against offenders. Your allegations will be taken seriously, and you will be treated with dignity and respect.”
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