RACHEL MARSHALL SHOCKS LLANDUDNO JUNCTION WITH SEXUAL ABUSE AND HARASSMENT OF SCHOOLBOY

In December 2016, a disturbing case emerged involving Rachel Marshall, a 42-year-old woman from Llandudno Junction, who was convicted of engaging in sexual activities with a minor and subsequently harassing him in a series of malicious actions. The court heard that Marshall had developed a troubling relationship with a teenage boy, which included providing him with gifts such as cash, aftershave, and even an iPhone 6, in an apparent attempt to manipulate and control him.

Her inappropriate conduct did not cease once the boy sought to distance himself. Instead, she escalated her harassment by threatening him and his new partner when he began a relationship with a girl his own age. The court was informed that Marshall went as far as falsely claiming she was pregnant with his child, a move intended to intimidate and destabilize the young man. Evidence presented included her sending a pregnancy magazine to the girl and text messages containing threats like, “You are both f***ing dead.”

Judge Peter Heywood, presiding over the case at Caernarfon Crown Court, described the impact of Marshall’s actions as profoundly damaging. He noted that the boy had threatened to take his own life due to the emotional turmoil inflicted upon him. The judge emphasized that Marshall, fully aware of the boy’s age, exploited the situation for her own gratification, which constituted a serious breach of trust and morality.

Marshall was found guilty of four counts of sexual activity with a minor, including actual sexual intercourse, committed between October 2014 and February of the following year. She also admitted to two charges of meeting the boy after grooming him for sexual purposes. The court revealed that she had initiated contact through flirtatious messages, eventually inviting the boy for a drive near his home. During this outing, they traveled to a car park on the Sychnant Pass, close to Conwy, where she confided in him about marital issues, leading to her kissing him and engaging in sexual acts.

The sexual encounters reportedly occurred almost weekly, often taking place in her home or her car. As the relationship progressed, Marshall’s behavior became increasingly obsessive. She began offering him money—ranging from £20 to £200—and sending naked photographs of herself. Her relentless messaging and attempts to contact his friends created a sense of fear and confusion for the young victim, who described her as “relentless.”

Further complicating the situation, Marshall falsely claimed she was pregnant with the boy’s child, even sending him scan images and notes through his door, one of which read, “I will wait all day.” She also contacted his girlfriend repeatedly, warning her that, “You are both f***ing dead,” and continued to harass the boy through social media by creating fake accounts, all aimed at manipulating him into maintaining the relationship.

Authorities intervened after rumors at school prompted police to visit the boy’s home. During the interview, he broke down in tears, describing the profound emotional damage caused by Marshall’s actions. As part of her sentence, Marshall was ordered to register as a sex offender indefinitely and was subjected to a sexual harm prevention order to protect the victim from further contact.

Judge Heywood commented on the case, noting that the boy’s initial enthusiasm for the relationship waned as Marshall’s persistent gift-giving and harassment intensified. The judge pointed out that Marshall’s jealousy and anger surfaced when the boy started a new relationship, leading her to send threatening messages and smear his character by involving his new partner.

Despite her previous good character, including being a mother and holding reputable jobs, the court considered her mental state. A psychiatric report suggested that her behavior might have been influenced by medication she was taking at the time. The judge remarked, “You clearly were fixated with him (the boy).”

Defense lawyer Sion at Mihangel expressed remorse on her behalf, describing her as “deeply sorry” for her actions. He highlighted her exemplary character prior to the incident and her status as a “model mother.” The lawyer also noted that she had lost her job, her marriage, and her family as a consequence of her actions. Marshall, who is currently pregnant, is expected to give birth while in prison, with the child potentially remaining with her for up to 18 months, cared for by others during her incarceration.