Leicester man jailed for 30 years for setting fire to his ex-wife's home in Salford
Nicholas Martin's victim was left with serious, life changing injuries
Last updated 10th Nov 2025
A man has been jailed for 30 years after he set fire to his ex-wife's home in Salford while she slept.
63 year old Nicholas Martin, from Leicester, poured petrol through her letterbox and ignited it at 5:10am on 22nd October 2024.
She managed to escape by jumping from her first-floor bedroom window, resulting in two broken ankles and a fractured vertebrae. Tragically, her pet cat died in the blaze, which caused significant damage to her house.
Martin was sentenced at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court today (10th November 2025) after being found guilty of attempted murder and assault occasioning actual bodily harm during a trial in September. He has also been issued with a lifetime restraining order against the victim.
Martin had been in a controlling relationship with the Worsley woman since 2019.
Investigators from Salford Criminal Investigation Department discovered he monitored her movements, limited her contact with family, and controlled aspects of her daily life including what she ate and how she dressed.
When their relationship ended, Martin was arrested and charged with domestic abuse offences for assaulting her in 2021. On bail at the time of the offence, he was prohibited from contacting her and required to stay in Leicester.
Defying these restrictions, Martin rented a car and drove to Worsley, booking into a hotel before pouring petrol into her home and setting it alight.
He was arrested the next day, 23rd October 2024, at a hotel in the Lake District, where officers found a petrol can in his wardrobe. Despite later admitting to starting the fire, Martin claimed he didn’t intend to kill the woman.
Victim impact statement
The victim delivered a powerful statement in court detailing the lasting emotional and physical impact of Martin’s actions.
She said, "The chilling memory of the clear thought that I was going to die, the choking feeling of smoke inhalation, and the fall as I jumped out of the bedroom window will never leave me."
Martin, she explained, had ‘utterly destroyed and decimated’ her life, leaving her and her family traumatised and requiring therapy.
She thanked those involved in the criminal case for holding Martin to account and supporting her recovery.
Detective Constable Zoe Bellis, of Salford CID, praised the victim for her courage throughout the investigation and legal proceedings.
She said, "Martin undertook a campaign of abuse against his victim lasting a number of years. His last act nearly resulted in a woman’s death and I am thankful of today’s sentencing result putting this despicable individual behind bars."
DC Bellis also urged anyone experiencing domestic abuse to reach out to Greater Manchester Police, assuring that all reports are taken seriously and handled with dignity and respect.