DEREK MARSH FROM RENFREW CAUGHT IN SCANDAL AT PERTHSHIRE HOLIDAY PARK

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community, Derek Marsh, a man currently residing in Renfrew, has been found guilty of making inappropriate and sexually explicit comments towards underage girls at a holiday park in Highland Perthshire. The incident, which spanned over four months, took place at the Tummel Valley Holiday Park near Pitlochry, a popular destination for families and tourists seeking leisure and relaxation in the scenic Scottish Highlands.

Marsh, aged 44, was employed as a barman and repairman at the holiday park when he targeted young girls, some as young as 14. His actions only came to light after he attempted to shift blame onto the victims, claiming he had been suffering from cabin fever after spending the summer living in a caravan on the site. He insisted that he believed the girls to be older and that his inappropriate conduct was a result of this misconception.

Over the course of four months, Marsh engaged in a series of suggestive and inappropriate behaviors. One incident involved him serving a girl juice at the park’s bar and deliberately dropping the money she had given him. When she questioned his actions, he told her it was so he could see her bend over, a comment that caused alarm and discomfort. On another occasion, he invited one of the girls to his caravan, claiming he wanted to demonstrate that he was “not gay,” further crossing boundaries and displaying predatory behavior.

The court heard that Marsh had fondled the breasts of one of the underage girls, made explicit remarks about his previous sexual relationships, and commented on their appearance. He also urged them to wear revealing clothing, attempting to manipulate and exploit their youth. In a particularly unsettling request, he asked one girl to leave him her underwear as a “going-away present,” an incident she and the other girl chose to keep quiet about despite its disturbing nature.

The misconduct was finally uncovered when Marsh sent a message to one of the girls via Facebook. Her parents discovered the message, which prompted them to report his actions to the police. The case was brought before Perth Sheriff Court, where Marsh appeared for sentencing. Sheriff Lindsay Foulis described his conduct as “concerning” and highlighted the lack of genuine remorse shown by Marsh during proceedings.

As a result of his conviction, Marsh was fined £1,500 and ordered to pay an additional £500 in compensation to one of his victims. Furthermore, he was placed on the sex offenders register for the next five years. The court also imposed restrictions preventing him from working at or visiting any holiday parks or campsites where women under 16 are present, for the same period. Sheriff Foulis emphasized the seriousness of the case, noting that the offenses were not isolated but spanned several months, and criticized Marsh for attempting to deflect blame onto the victims.

He stated, “These matters are serious and they are concerning, not least because one of the charges covers a period of four months. This was not a one-off. There is also an attempt by you to deflect blame from yourself and place it upon the girls, who were both under 16.” The judge further remarked that, although girls under 16 can sometimes behave in a manner that might seem silly, an adult man in his 40s should have recognized the need for appropriate behavior. Marsh admitted to making sexually explicit comments to teenage girls between May 1 and September 9 of the previous year, highlighting the gravity of his misconduct and the breach of trust involved in his actions.