Man 'lured' underage girl to hotels for sex

A man who groomed and lured an underage girl to a hotel in Doncaster to have sex with her has been jailed for nine years.

Martin Norton, 32, of no fixed address, has been sentenced for his "abhorrent" crimes in 2025 for engaging in sexual activity with a girl under the age of 15.

Norton was arrested in a hotel room in November 2025 after police officers responded to reports and concerns he had enticed a young girl and was travelling from Newcastle, taking her to hotels for sex.

Officers found Norton started talking to the girl on social media before asking her for provocative images and eventually grooming her into believing he was her boyfriend, South Yorkshire Police said.

Norton arranged to meet the girl who told officers he had made her have sex on their first meeting.

Norton continued to travel from Newcastle to Doncaster to manipulate the girl, buying her gifts and food while out, the force said.

He booked hotel rooms for them and made her commit sexual acts in public.

Norton was jailed for nine years at Sheffield Crown Court on Tuesday. He was convicted of eight charges of engaging in sexual activity with a 13-15-year-old girl, one charge of engaging in sexual communication with a child, and one of attempting to meet a girl under 16 following grooming.

He was given a 25-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, placed on the sex offenders register for life, and given a 25-year restraining order against the victim.

Det Con Lauren Harris said the girl showed "incredible courage and bravery throughout the investigation and court process" and had said how Norton had impacted all aspects of her life, meaning she is now afraid to go out alone and does not trust anyone.

"I hope Norton's sentencing brings closure to the young girl who has been at the heart of our investigation," Harris said.

"No one should have their childhood stripped and taken from them because of someone's perverted actions."

Harris added that she commended the bravery the young girl had shown through this investigation.

She said: "Her immense courage has ensured Norton will spend a significant amount of time behind bars.

"I also hope it sends a strong message to anyone who is a victim of any sexual offence, abusive, coercive behaviour; we will listen to you, we will support you and we will carry out a thorough investigation."

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North