A 24-year-old Sandys man was yesterday jailed for eight-and-a-half years for sexually exploiting young girls.

Sound View Lane resident and member of local band Mohawk Radio, Melvin Martin pleaded guilty to three counts of sexually exploiting a minor, one count of unlawful carnal knowledge, three counts of accessing child pornography, and four counts of making child pornography.

He is the first person to be jailed since new legislation regarding accessing and making child pornography came in to force last May.

According to Crown Counsel Cindy Clarke, on June 3, Police executed a search warrant at Martin's home, seizing a laptop and a hard drive.

Officers found a number of pornographic images of girls under the age of 16 under file names such as "funtime".

Two days later, Police arrested Martin and seized a number of cameras from his home.

During questioning, Martin refused to comment about any of the videos or pictures found on his computer or his hard drive, but five young girls were able to identify themselves.

One of the girls, who was 12-years-old, admitted taking pornographic pictures of herself and sending them to an unknown man.

Another girl, who was 11-years-old, said she had taken the pictures herself and sent them to a friend, but she didn't know how Martin gained access to them.

Videos were also found of three girls, aged 11, 12 and 15, engaging in sexual acts with Martin.

Ms Clarke said that other recordings of young girls were found on Martin's hard drive who have yet to be identified.

During a psychological evaluation, Martin said that he had been a victim of abuse, and that without treatment, he was likely to reoffend.

Representing Martin, lawyer Mark Pettingill said the defendant had no criminal record, and understood that he needed counselling.

"We're not talking about someone who's hanging out outside of the nursery school," said Mr. Pettingill. "He is a person who recognises that he has issues that need to be addressed. He's working towards that goal, and he can achieve that goal."

With his parents and his pastor in attendance, Martin apologised for his actions, and for disgracing his family.

"I haven't held to my character, and I am certain that has led me to rock bottom," he said.

After deliberating, Puisne Judge Charles Etta Simmons said: "The offences you have pleaded guilty to are serious offences.

"Society deems it necessary to protect young girls too young to know what's best for them.

"The court acknowledges you have not been able to reconcile abuses you yourself suffered, but five young girls have been affected. The community needs to be protected from you."

Martin was sentenced to seven years imprisonment for the sexual exploitation of a minor, along with two years imprisonment for unlawful carnal knowledge and one year for accessing child pornography, all to run concurrently.

He was also sentenced to 18 months for making child pornography, which will run consecutively to the previous sentences, along with a two year probation.

Martin pleaded not guilty to three further charges of accessing child pornography, which will lie on file and not be prosecuted at this time.