Serious case review launched after foster father sentenced for abusing children

A serious case review has been launched by three local
authorities following the conviction of a foster father who abused
more than 2,000 girls, writes Sally
Gillen.

Glyn Martin, a former school governor, was sentenced to 18 years
in prison at Hull Crown Court last week for offences including
indecent assault, child abduction and taking indecent
photographs.

He was given custodianship of two girls in 1991. They were later
put on the child protection register by Humberside Council because
of concerns that they may be at risk of sexual abuse.

A psychiatrist and two psychologists commissioned to assess
Martin during care proceedings in 1995 concluded that he may pose a
risk, but neither of the children had made a complaint and to
remove them would cause harm.

Their names were removed from the child protection register in
1997.  

East Riding, Doncaster and Sheffield Councils have commissioned
the inquiry into the case, which will be published in the coming
weeks.