Michael Smith 61

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Update 2025-09-09

An Isle of Wight man has been jailed for 18 years after being found guilty of multiple offences of non-recent child sexual abuse.

Michael Norman Smith, aged 61, formerly of Willow Way in Sandown was found guilty following a trial at Isle of Wight Crown Court on Friday 1 August of:

• Three counts of rape of a child under 13.
• Sexual assault of a child under 13 by digital penetration.
• Two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child under 13
• Three counts of causing/inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity
• Two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child aged 13-15

The offences were perpetrated against a boy between 1 May 2004 and 31 March 2010 on the Isle of Wight.

DC Amy Hicks, who investigated the case, said:

The sentence imposed by the Judge recognises the seriousness of Smiths offending and I hope that it provides some closure for the victim. This significant sentence ensures that Smith will be in prison for a very long time and will not be able to target other children in the community.

Our commitment to bringing offenders to justice is underlined when long-running and complex investigations like this result in such a significant sentence and I hope this sends a clear message that crimes of this nature will not be tolerated. I hope this outcome prompts victims of similar offences to contact us when they are ready to, so that we are able to secure justice for them as well.

2022-04-11

A man who lured children into his Sandown home by allowing them to play computer games has been jailed for sexually abusing a child in the 1990s and early 2000s.

58-year-old Michael Norman Smith sexually assaulted the boy between 1997 and 2003, beginning when the child was under the age of 10.

During a trial at Isle of Wight Crown Court, jurors heard how Smith, who lived at Willow Way in Sandown at the time of the offences, would often have children over to his address and would allow them to play computer games. Smith would also take them to do activities such as swimming or going to the cinema.

In 2019, Police were contacted by a man who stated that Smith had sexually abused him at the Willow Way address during this period when he was a child. After the abuse, the boy would then be given money, sweets or other food and drink items by Smith.

Following an investigation, Smith was charged with 2 counts of indecent assault and 3 counts of indecency with a child. He initially denied the offences and the case went to trial on 7th February this year.

On 9th February, part way through the trial, Smith changed his plea and admitted all of the abuse. Smith was subsequently remanded in custody to appear at Portsmouth Crown Court on Friday 8th April where he was jailed for 6-and-a-half years.

Detective Sergeant Katy Lee of Hampshire Constabulary, who led the investigation, said:

Smith is a danger to children, and he groomed and manipulated the child in this case for his own perverse gratification.

The boy has had to deal with the impact of this abuse for the remainder of his childhood and into adult life. I want to commend him for now finding the courage to come forward and face his abuser.

His courage has ensured that a predator is now behind bars where he belongs, and Smith will pay the price for these awful crimes.