JOSEPH MARSHALL, FORMER CHILDREN'S HOME MANAGER IN DOUGLAS, SENTENCED FOR HISTORICAL CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE
| Red Rose Database
Isle of Man Sexual Abuser
The chief constable has stated that Joseph Marshall, 85, the former manager of a children’s home, 'ruined the lives of many young men' through his actions. Marshall received a six-year prison sentence on Friday for abusing boys at Knottfield in Douglas between 1974 and 1982.
Gary Roberts emphasized the significant impact of Marshall’s crimes, describing him as a 'very dangerous sex offender' and saying it was 'hard to overstate' the damage caused. Roberts also noted that Marshall’s victims 'might now see some closure.'
Marshall, a serial abuser, was convicted of three indecent assaults and two counts of gross indecency against two boys under 16 following a trial held at Douglas Courthouse in December. He had previously served time in 1992 for 13 offences of indecent assault against other boys at the same home.
Gary Roberts expressed his belief that 'no doubt at all' more children had been abused by Marshall and highlighted that it is 'never too late' for additional victims to come forward.
In a statement through the charity Victim Support Isle of Man, one of Marshall’s victims said: 'A guilty verdict is not just for the crimes he committed against me, but a guilty verdict is for the crimes he committed against every single victim he made.' He also added, 'I felt believed as soon as I had given my interview to the police, and being believed was the biggest part for me.'
Responding to criticism by Deemster Bernard Richmond QC about the evidence he provided to a Tynwald inquiry into Knottfield before the criminal proceedings, Roberts explained, 'to all intents and purposes the book had closed on Marshall' at that time. He further pointed out, 'What's also important to note is that inquiry by Tynwald brought out more victims.'
Gary Roberts emphasized the significant impact of Marshall’s crimes, describing him as a 'very dangerous sex offender' and saying it was 'hard to overstate' the damage caused. Roberts also noted that Marshall’s victims 'might now see some closure.'
Marshall, a serial abuser, was convicted of three indecent assaults and two counts of gross indecency against two boys under 16 following a trial held at Douglas Courthouse in December. He had previously served time in 1992 for 13 offences of indecent assault against other boys at the same home.
Gary Roberts expressed his belief that 'no doubt at all' more children had been abused by Marshall and highlighted that it is 'never too late' for additional victims to come forward.
In a statement through the charity Victim Support Isle of Man, one of Marshall’s victims said: 'A guilty verdict is not just for the crimes he committed against me, but a guilty verdict is for the crimes he committed against every single victim he made.' He also added, 'I felt believed as soon as I had given my interview to the police, and being believed was the biggest part for me.'
Responding to criticism by Deemster Bernard Richmond QC about the evidence he provided to a Tynwald inquiry into Knottfield before the criminal proceedings, Roberts explained, 'to all intents and purposes the book had closed on Marshall' at that time. He further pointed out, 'What's also important to note is that inquiry by Tynwald brought out more victims.'