JONATHAN MARSHALL FROM MELKSHAM SENTENCED FOR SEX OFFENCES IN WATCHET

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community, Jonathan Marshall, a 21-year-old man from Melksham, was convicted and sentenced for serious sexual offences involving a minor in Watchet. The incident, which took place in October 2010, involved Marshall engaging in sexual activities with a girl aged between 13 and 15, an act that has left lasting scars on the victim and her family.

Marshall appeared before Taunton Crown Court last Friday, where he pleaded guilty to three counts of causing a girl within the specified age range to participate in sexual acts. The court proceedings revealed that Marshall had encouraged the girl to believe that his feelings for her were genuine, despite the fact that he was aware of her young age. Prosecutor Ian Fenny stated that Marshall had told the girl his current relationship was unrewarding, which may have contributed to her decision to engage in the acts. The case came to light when the girl, overwhelmed by the emotional toll, decided to confide in her mother, leading to the police investigation.

During the sentencing, Judge Martin Picton condemned Marshall’s actions, describing them as wicked and motivated solely by his own sexual gratification. The court was informed that Marshall’s conduct had a devastating impact on the victim and her family, with the mother expressing her deep anguish. The mother, who chose to remain anonymous to protect her daughter’s identity, voiced her dissatisfaction with the two-year prison sentence, stating, “I don’t think two years is enough. I don’t think anyone is really happy with the outcome.” She emphasized that her daughter would have to live with the trauma for the rest of her life, while Marshall would serve only two years behind bars.

She further expressed her frustration, saying, “He’s going to prison and he will pay the price. He will be on the Sex Offenders’ Register for ten years – I think it should be a lifetime.” The mother also highlighted the support her family had received from police and child protection services, including counseling options for her daughter, which she confirmed her daughter was already beginning to access.

Since the incident, the mother has observed noticeable changes in her daughter’s behavior. She described her as being very frustrated and unable to cope with simple tasks, emphasizing that such violations are not supposed to happen to children. “She’s only a child and such things aren’t supposed to happen to children,” she lamented. The mother concluded by stating, “He’s wrecked his own family and ours. It is a lifetime affliction for us.”

In addition to the prison sentence, Marshall will be subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order for the next five years, which will restrict his ability to work with children indefinitely. He will also remain on the Sex Offenders’ Register for ten years, reflecting the serious nature of his crimes and the court’s efforts to prevent future offenses in the community.