CRAIG MARSHALL FROM BIRMINGHAM SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN WOLVERHAMPTON

A man from Birmingham, identified as Craig Marshall, has been sentenced to a decade in prison after admitting to a series of serious child sexual offences. The conviction follows a court hearing at Wolverhampton Crown Court held on Friday, September 6, where Marshall, aged 40, pleaded guilty to a total of 17 charges related to child sexual assault, including an attempted rape.

These offences are alleged to have occurred over a span of years, specifically between 2008 and 2014. Despite the passage of time, the victim, who demonstrated remarkable bravery, came forward in 2021 to report the abuse. This courageous act led to Marshall’s arrest and subsequent prosecution.

The victim has spoken openly about the profound and lasting impact these traumatic experiences have had on her life. She described how the abuse has haunted her throughout her childhood and continues to influence her well into adulthood, highlighting the long-term psychological scars inflicted by such crimes.

Detective Constable Beth Felton, a member of the Public Protection Unit, emphasized the significance of the case and the resilience of the victim. She stated, “It’s not to be underestimated the impact this has had on the victim. Throughout the process she has shown great courage and fortitude.”

DC Felton also pointed out that the case was of a historic nature, which underscores that age should not be a barrier to justice. She added, “This case was historic in nature, and the prison sentence reflects that. If an incident is of historic nature, this is not a barrier to achieving a positive outcome for the victim, and we want to encourage anyone who is a survivor of sexual abuse to report it.”

The officer further explained that the police have a dedicated team of specialist officers ready to support victims through the often difficult legal process. They also collaborate with various support organizations that can provide advice and assistance to survivors of sexual abuse.

Concluding her remarks, DC Felton expressed hope that the victim’s bravery in coming forward would inspire others who have suffered similar abuse to seek help and report their experiences, reinforcing the message that no one should suffer in silence.