Locations
Culver Close, Penarth, Vale Of Glamorgan, CF64
Description
Richard Marsh, 38, of Culver Close, Penarth, has been jailed for six and a half years after a jury found him guilty of seven sexual offences against two victims at Cardiff Crown Court.
Marsh denied all charges. He was convicted of attempting to rape a woman and assaulting her by penetration, as well as inciting a teenage girl to engage in sexual activity and four counts of sexual activity with a child.
The court heard he sexually assaulted the woman while she slept. Judge Neil Bidder QC described her as particularly vulnerable because she was asleep and noted: “She repeatedly made that clear” that she did not consent. He told Marsh: “You knew had she been awake she would not have consented,” and said: “I regard you as someone who is entirely amoral when it comes to sexual intercourse.”
Marsh kissed the girl, touched her breasts, and encouraged her to touch him sexually.
In her victim personal statement, the woman said: “When I have to talk about what happened I can’t stay still and find myself pacing the floor and twitching.” She struggled to eat and sleep, was diagnosed with anxiety and depression, and added: “I suffer panic attacks for no reason.” The girl said she failed an exam at the time because she could not focus on her revision.
A pre-sentence report found Marsh presented a high risk of causing sexual harm to women and girls. He had no previous convictions and is a father of three. He was ordered to register as a sex offender indefinitely.
Detective Sergeant Andrew Boffy, officer in the case, said:
“I would like to commend both victims for having the courage to report the abuse and support the prosecution. They have shown considerable strength during the investigation and court process, during which they had to give evidence while Marsh continued to maintain his innocence.”