DANIEL MARSHALL FROM QUEENSFERRY JAILED FOR SHARING CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IMAGES IN DEESIDE AND STAFFORDSHIRE

In June 2017, a disturbing case emerged involving Daniel Marshall, a resident of Queensferry, who was convicted of sharing graphic images depicting the sexual abuse of a teenage girl. The court proceedings revealed that Marshall, aged 24 at the time, had been involved in the distribution of these illicit images, which had been recorded during a heinous incident two years prior.

According to the evidence presented at Mold Crown Court, the images originated from a traumatic event involving a 15-year-old girl from the travelling community in Staffordshire. The court heard that she was subjected to sexual assault by a group of men, with the abuse likely including rape and oral sex. Witnesses testified that the assault was not only physically brutal but also captured on film, with the perpetrators actively watching and recording her suffering.

These recordings did not remain private. Instead, they were circulated among various individuals, with the images being shared at least 24 times by Marshall himself. The judge, Niclas Parry, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that the images were distributed for the purpose of sexual gratification among viewers, thereby perpetuating the victim’s suffering. The court highlighted that the victim, who was vulnerable and did not consent to being filmed, was subjected to ongoing exploitation through the circulation of these images.

Judge Parry underscored that the existence and distribution of such images are driven by a disturbing market for child exploitation material. He explained that once these images are shared, the abuse continues to have a lasting impact on the victim, causing long-term psychological harm far beyond the initial assault. The court acknowledged the profound shame and degradation inflicted upon the girl, which extended well after the physical abuse.

In sentencing, Judge Parry noted that the typical starting point for such offenses ranges from three to five years in prison. However, he took into account the mitigating factors present in Marshall’s case. The defendant was relatively young, only 22 at the time of the offenses, which spanned over two days. Furthermore, the number of images distributed was in the tens rather than hundreds, and Marshall was found to have shared these images within a closed group rather than publicly.

Considering these factors, the judge decided to reduce the sentence to 12 months of immediate imprisonment. Additionally, Marshall was placed on the Sex Offender Register for a period of 10 years and was subject to a strict sexual harm prevention order.

Marshall, of Chester Road, Pentre, Queensferry, pleaded guilty to 30 charges, including 24 counts of distributing indecent images. He also admitted to making, possessing, and downloading extreme images. The prosecution, led by Sarah Badrawy, explained that the police investigation was initiated as part of a broader operation targeting child sexual exploitation in North Wales. During the investigation, authorities discovered videos on a phone belonging to one of the arrested individuals, which depicted the 15-year-old girl being abused in Staffordshire. It was established that these videos had been sent to the individual by Marshall.

When questioned about the origin of the videos, Marshall admitted that the phone was his and that he had sent the film, claiming he believed the girl was between 16 and 18 years old at the time. However, he declined to comment when asked how the video first appeared on his device. The court’s verdict reflects the serious nature of his offenses and the ongoing efforts to combat child exploitation and protect vulnerable victims from further harm.