DEWSBURY MAN GLEN MARWOOD TRICKS TEENAGE GIRL WITH INTERNET HOAX AND FAKED CANCER STORY

In August 2006, a disturbing case unfolded involving a middle-aged man from Dewsbury, named Glen Marwood, who engaged in a series of manipulative and deceitful acts targeting a vulnerable 15-year-old girl. The court proceedings at Leeds Crown Court revealed how Marwood, residing on Chidswell Lane, Shaw Cross, used the internet to craft a false persona and exploit the trust of a young teenager.

Marwood created a fictitious identity under the pseudonym Ricky, claiming to be a 17-year-old boy suffering from terminal cancer. To bolster his story, he used photographs of a male Swedish model, which he presented as Ricky’s image. The girl, believing she was aiding a Leeds youth undergoing cancer treatment in America, began a close online relationship with Ricky. She thought she was helping someone battling a serious illness, and their communication was frequent and emotionally intense.

Prosecutor Michael Collins explained that the girl initially thought Ricky was from Leeds but was receiving treatment in Michigan, where his family had sold their home to fund his medical care. Over approximately six weeks, their correspondence intensified, with Ricky sometimes calling her up to four times daily. She felt she was providing comfort and support during his treatment, which she believed was life-threatening. Ricky even faked coughing fits and went silent at times, only to send messages from his 'father,' Glen Marwood, claiming Ricky had collapsed or was unwell.

The girl was swept into what she described as a 'whirlwind romance,' even making plans for future meetings. Ricky convinced her to use a web camera so he could see her, but he refused to reciprocate, citing his treatment’s side effects, such as hair loss. During their conversations, Ricky also spoke about his sexual experiences and expressed desires to engage in sexual activity with her, which added a disturbing layer to the deception.

The deception reached a tragic point when the girl told Ricky she planned to visit him. At that moment, Marwood, posing as Ricky’s father, telephoned her to inform her that Ricky had died. The girl was devastated, crying for days, believing she had lost her online friend and the boy she thought was suffering from cancer.

Despite the heartbreak, Marwood’s lies continued. He suggested meeting her in person to hand over some of Ricky’s personal belongings. He did meet with her and her mother at a shopping centre near London, and there was a second meeting at her home, where he stayed overnight. Marwood claimed he needed a break from arguing with his wife about Ricky’s ashes, which he said he was responsible for disposing of.

The situation took a further bizarre turn when Marwood spoke of paying for a trip to the Maldives for the girl. However, suspicions arose when a friend checked the addresses Marwood had provided, revealing they were false. This led to further investigations that uncovered his deception.

Marwood’s legal representative, Jonathan Rose, explained to the court that Marwood’s wife suffered from depression, which left her uncommunicative and often watching television for hours. Out of loneliness, Marwood turned to the internet, where he created the persona of Ricky. Rose emphasized that Marwood was not a paedophile and had no sexual interest in children. Instead, he admitted that his actions stemmed from a desire for companionship and affection, which he found lacking in his personal life.

Judge Ian Dobkin sentenced Marwood to two years in prison after he pleaded guilty to charges of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and causing actual bodily harm. Additionally, he was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for ten years, barred from working with children, and prohibited from contacting the victim or visiting internet chatrooms and gaming sites. The judge remarked on the difficulty of reconciling Marwood’s bizarre behaviour with the reports and references about his character, highlighting the profound impact of his actions on the young girl involved.