Martin Falconer, a man from Runcorn, Cheshire, has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for sexually abusing a teenage girl.

Falconer was found guilty of five counts of sexual activity with a child under 16, attempted rape, sexual assault, and possession of indecent images of children. The abuse took place between 2016 and 2019 when the victim, now 21 years old, was in her early adolescence.

The victim, Leah Green, bravely waived her right to anonymity to share her story with the ECHO. She described how Falconer, her stepfather, began by showering her with attention and gifts, but this later turned into inappropriate sexual behavior. She claims Falconer installed a camera in her bedroom to film her and attempted to rape her.

Green reported the abuse to Cheshire Police in 2019, leading to an investigation that resulted in Falconer's conviction in June 2024. In addition to his prison sentence, he will be subject to notification requirements, a restraining order, and a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Detective Sergeant Lee Ellis commended Green's bravery and expressed hope that the conclusion of the case will bring her some closure. He emphasized the importance of speaking out against abuse and encouraged anyone who has experienced similar crimes to come forward.