ETHAN MARSDEN

STUDENT ASSAULTED BY DRUNK BOYFRIEND FLED INTO TOILET FOR SAFETY

A woman fled into student accommodation and hid in a toilet after an argument with her boyfriend in the street.

The incident occurred at the Saw Mill complex in King's Mill Lane, Aspley, in the early hours of March 28.

During the altercation outside the halls of residence involving Ethan Marsden and his partner, she sought safety with help from two students who were awakened by the commotion.

She hid in a bathroom cubicle and used a student’s phone to call the police.

Marsden attempted to break into the cubicle but was prevented, then he was escorted from the building.

Despite threats towards the students, he fled the scene before police arrived.

While he was acquitted of assault, he was found guilty of threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behavior with the intent to cause fear of unlawful violence.

The court heard that Marsden, of Towngate in Newsome, had a record of 18 offenses, including a community order for criminal damage in 2018 and failing to provide a breath sample in 2019.

A judge handed him a 12-month conditional discharge, and he was ordered to pay £100 in compensation to each student plus a £20 victim surcharge.

The prosecutor described the witnesses as upset and fearful during the incident, with one stating he felt 'disgusted' and feared an attack from Marsden.

The court also noted that Marsden's mental health has been severely affected since his arrest.