JOHN MARSHALLSAY POOLE ICE CREAM MAN SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF 7-YEAR-OLD GIRL IN DORCHESTER

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Poole and the surrounding areas, John Marshallsay, a former ice cream vendor from Poole, was sentenced to three years in prison for the sexual abuse of a young girl aged just seven years old. The heinous acts took place between September 1999 and January 2000, and Marshallsay admitted to two counts of indecent assault during the proceedings at Dorchester Crown Court.

Details of the case reveal that Marshallsay, who was known locally as an ice cream man, exploited his position of trust to commit these crimes within the safety of his own home. The court heard that he had invited children, including the victim, to visit his residence while his wife was away at work. On one occasion, the young girl was playing with her friend downstairs, engaged in a game of Barbie dolls, when Marshallsay unexpectedly picked her up and took her upstairs to a bedroom. There, he threw her onto the bed and subjected her to sexual assault.

Prosecutor Martin Lanchester described the assault, stating that one of the incidents lasted approximately one to two minutes until Marshallsay’s wife returned home. The girl, who was only seven at the time, was left traumatized, unable to sleep, and plagued by fears that she was dying. It was revealed that she kept her ordeal to herself for nearly three years before confiding in a friend, which eventually led to the case coming to light.

Following Marshallsay’s guilty plea at Bournemouth Crown Court last month, additional details emerged about the impact of his actions. The court was informed that as a consequence of the case, Marshallsay lost his job selling ice cream from a van and has been separated from his family. During the sentencing hearing, Michelle Clarke, representing the defense, acknowledged that Marshallsay recognized the gravity of his actions and was beginning a difficult journey towards rehabilitation. She also noted that he had been accepted back into his family, with his wife continuing to visit him in custody.

Judge John Beashel, presiding over the case, delivered a stern sentence, emphasizing the breach of trust involved. He stated, “You were in a position of trust towards the girl. She was young and in your own home, and you committed a disgraceful crime.” Marshallsay was sentenced to serve half of his three-year term in prison, with an additional 18 months on license. Furthermore, he will be subject to an extended license period of three years after his release. As part of his punishment, Marshallsay was also placed on the sex offenders’ register, which obligates him to inform authorities of his whereabouts and prohibits him from working with children in the future.