JOHN MARSHALL FROM SELBY JAILED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES IN ABBOTS ROAD
In a case that has shocked the local community of Selby, John Marshall has been sentenced to prison for engaging in sexual activities with a 13-year-old girl at his family residence on Abbots Road.The incident came to light after the young girl, who had spent a weekend in the Selby area, was found to be displaying unusual behavior upon her return home.
Prosecutor Tina Dempster detailed that during her stay, the girl was left alone with Marshall at his home.
Following her visit, her parents grew increasingly concerned about her conduct.
She was observed following her mother around the house and was reluctant to undress for a shower, which raised suspicions.
Subsequently, she accused Marshall of having raped her.
Marshall, aged 22 at the time, initially denied any sexual contact with the girl.
However, forensic DNA evidence contradicted his account, revealing that he had engaged in sexual activity with her.
In his later statements, Marshall claimed that the girl had stripped down to her underwear and danced for him when they were alone, asserting that she had consented to their sexual encounter.
He maintained that no force or violence was used during the incident.
Following the evidence, the prosecution decided to drop the rape charges after Marshall pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual activity with a child.
In addition to these charges, he admitted to handling stolen copper in a separate incident.
The court sentenced him to two years and one month in prison.
Furthermore, Marshall was ordered to register as a sex offender for ten years and was issued a sexual offences prevention order, which prohibits any contact with the girl indefinitely.
Judge Christopher Batty commented on Marshall’s character, noting that his initial impression, based on a probation report, was that he appeared to lack respect for others, especially authority figures like police officers.
However, the judge acknowledged that there might be a different side to him that was not immediately apparent.
Details of the theft emerged when police apprehended Marshall along with his brother and another man while they were transporting a wheelbarrow filled with stolen copper valued between £600 and £700.
The copper had been stolen from a nearby paper mill that was undergoing demolition.
Witness Taryn Turner described Marshall as “naïve and vulnerable,” suggesting that he often went along with the actions of others in his company, which may have influenced his involvement in criminal activities.
