David Marsh 40

Description

A sex offender who told a friend he had “f***** up” after inappropriately touching a teenage girl has been jailed for two years.

David Marsh, 40, of Melvin Close in Salisbury, abused his victim on August 9, 2023, leaving her "haunted" by the memory. He was sentenced at Salisbury Crown Court on Wednesday (October 1).

Marsh pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual activity with the girl at his initial magistrates' court appearance in January, and admitted attempted touching when his crown court trial began in August. Judge Adam Feest imposed immediate imprisonment, with Marsh expected to serve half his sentence before release on licence.

Prosecutor Mike Mason said the offences occurred within minutes, after which Marsh confessed to a friend and turned himself in to police. The victim reported the crime to her family, who believed her; her clothing was forensically tested.

Mr. Mason added: “The defendant contacted a friend saying that he had ‘f***** up’ – those are his words – and needed to talk to her. He arranged to talk to her that evening, which he did. He said he knew what he had done was inappropriate, and he had done something really stupid.”

In victim impact statements, she said Marsh "stole her innocence" and left her "on edge" around men. She wrote: “It is difficult for me to put into words how I have been affected. The thought of bumping into him or seeing him when I’m out and about fills me with dread. I regularly have thoughts about it, which is upsetting and a permanent reminder. I was not able to concentrate well on my schoolwork, and I think that suffered as a result. I feel like people like me need to be protected from him.”

Defense lawyer Nicholas Cotter argued the incident was "not pre-planned" but "impulsive," adding: “I don’t think the defendant understands what made him do it. He is profoundly remorseful about what happened. From the very outset, he has admitted to others, not just the police, the criminality that he has latterly accepted. He is terrified about going to custody.”

Mr. Cotter requested a suspended sentence, but Judge Feest rejected it, saying: “You took the opportunity, for reasons that only you will ever understand – if that – to sexually abuse her. She had, and still, suffers significantly from what you did.” He accepted Marsh's remorse as genuine.

Marsh, who had no prior convictions, will be on the sex offenders' register for 10 years. He also faces a 10-year sexual harm prevention order, an indefinite restraining order, and a £140 victim surcharge.