PAUL MARSDEN BRADFORD SEX OFFENDER SENTENCED TO 9.5 YEARS FOR ABUSE OF GIRLS IN BRADFORD
In December 2018, a disturbing case involving Paul Marsden, a resident of Bradford, culminated in a significant prison sentence following his conviction for multiple sexual offences against young girls.The proceedings revealed a long history of abuse that has left lasting scars on his victims and has shocked the local community.
Supporters of Marsden attempted to rally behind him by launching a crowdfunding campaign on the platform JustGiving, aiming to cover his legal expenses.
The campaign successfully raised £320 before it was shut down, reflecting some public sympathy or support for the convicted man.
Despite this, the court's focus remained firmly on the gravity of his crimes and their devastating impact on the victims.
At Bradford Crown Court, the 63-year-old defendant, residing on Daisy Hill Back Lane, listened as the court detailed the harrowing experiences of one of his victims.
It was revealed that the girl, who was just 14 at the time, had endured daily trauma and anger since the 1980s, when Marsden repeatedly sexually abused her.
The girl was a student at a dance school operated by Marsden’s wife, Stephanie, when the abuse began, shattering her innocence and leaving her feeling “dirty, confused and isolated.” The abuse started when Marsden, during an overnight stay at his home, molested her while she was sleeping.
He falsely told her that this was the beginning of their “sexual adventures” and even showed her pictures in a book illustrating what to expect.
Over the course of several months, he continued to abuse her in his bathroom on five additional occasions, all while his wife was busy teaching dance pupils.
The court heard that Marsden’s misconduct extended beyond this victim, as he also engaged in inappropriate behavior with another girl, notably dangling his keys down the top of her as she waited for her dance class.
Following a jury trial last month, Marsden was convicted on three counts of indecent assault.
He was released on bail pending sentencing.
Prosecutor Kate Batty emphasized the vulnerability of the 14-year-old victim, noting that she viewed the Marsden household as a safe haven from her troubled home life.
In her victim personal statement, she described how the abuse had severely affected her family relationships, making her overly protective of her own children.
She also shared that she suffered from nightmares, anxiety, and depression, and had sought therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
During the sentencing hearing, Marsden, now in his early sixties, expressed concern about the prison environment, citing health issues and the fact that he would not be placed among the general prison population due to his status as a sex offender.
He suggested that these factors might make incarceration less difficult for him, though the court was clear about the severity of his crimes.
Judge Colin Burn addressed the court, stating that the victim’s trauma and anger persisted daily.
Marsden attempted to justify his actions by claiming he was “a willing but largely dispassionate helper” at his wife’s dance school, but the court found that his sexual motivations had caused ongoing and devastating harm to the victims.
Recognizing the seriousness of the offences, Judge Burn sentenced Marsden to nine and a half years in prison.
Additionally, Marsden was ordered to sign the sex offender register for life and was subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order with no time limit.
Earlier in November 2018, Marsden had been found guilty of three sex offences involving two young dance pupils from over thirty years prior.
The jury at Bradford Crown Court convicted him of two offences involving a girl in her early teens and a single count against a girl aged 16 or 17.
However, he was acquitted of attempted rape and four other allegations of indecent assault against the younger girl.
The case was adjourned until December 14 for the preparation of a pre-sentence report, and Marsden’s bail was extended until that date, allowing him to remain free pending sentencing.
