DAVID MARSH

SALISBURY MAN DAVID MARSH JAILED FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

A SEX offender who told a friend he had “f***** up” after abusing a teenage girl has been jailed for two years.

The 40-year-old, David Marsh, of Melvin Close in Salisbury, inappropriately touched his victim on August 9, 2023, leaving her “haunted” by the memory.

The victim reported the crime to her family, who believed her.

Forensic testing was carried out on the clothes she was wearing.

Marsh pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual activity with the girl at Salisbury Magistrates' Court in January and admitted a second offence of attempted touching when his crown court trial began in August.

Judge Adam Feest sentenced him to immediate imprisonment.

Marsh is expected to serve half of his custodial sentence before becoming eligible for release on licence.

Prosecutor Mike Mason stated that Marsh committed both offences within a few minutes, then confessed to a friend and turned himself in to police.

The victim described how Marsh's actions stole her innocence and made her feel “on edge” around other men.

She expressed in her statement that it's difficult to describe how she's been affected, mentioning fears of encountering him again and the impact on her schoolwork.

Marsh will be on the sex offenders' register for 10 years, subject to a sexual harm prevention order, an indefinite restraining order, and must pay a £140 victim surcharge.

He has no previous convictions.

The judge acknowledged Marsh's remorse but emphasized the significant suffering caused to the victim.