PAUL MARSH SENTENCED IN FOLKESTONE FOR KILLING DISABLED GIRL JESSICA DALGLEISH IN BRUTAL ATTACK

In December 2021, a tragic case unfolded in Folkestone, Kent, that shocked the local community and drew widespread condemnation. Paul Marsh, aged 27, was sentenced to a total of eleven years in prison after being found guilty of the brutal manslaughter of Jessica Dalgleish, a three-year-old girl with a disability. The court heard that Marsh, who was employed as a support worker, inflicted severe injuries on Jessica after becoming overwhelmed by frustration and anger when she refused to eat her lunch.

Jessica Dalgleish, a young girl described as a bright light in her family’s life, suffered catastrophic trauma during the assault. The court was told that Marsh had thrown her with considerable force, causing her head to strike a hard surface. The possible surfaces included the wooden bars of her cot, the floor, or the banister, though the exact cause was not definitively established. The injuries sustained were so severe that Jessica was rushed to hospital, where she tragically succumbed to her injuries on Christmas Eve in 2019.

Jessica’s mother, in her emotional victim impact statement, did not hold back her feelings. She referred to Marsh as an “animal” and a “monster,” expressing her deep anguish and anger. “I beg that the monster who took her suffers every day of his miserable life,” she stated. “I will never recover from losing my baby; Jessica was a light in the world.” Her words underscored the profound grief and sense of loss experienced by the family.

During the sentencing hearing, the presiding judge, the Honourable Mr. Justice Cavanagh, acknowledged the immense pain caused by Jessica’s death. He remarked that the entire family mourned the loss of Jessica’s future and endured trauma from the circumstances of her death. The judge emphasized the widespread suffering inflicted by the tragedy, which had touched many lives in the community.

Paul Marsh was sentenced to nine years for manslaughter and an additional two years for child cruelty, with the sentences to be served consecutively. The court noted that Marsh had shown reluctance to seek medical help for Jessica on the day she was injured and had attempted to conceal the true nature of her injuries. Instead of calling emergency services immediately, Marsh tried to cover up the incident, claiming Jessica had fallen down the stairs. The court also heard that Marsh, who was trained in first aid, moved Jessica inappropriately, further complicating the case and supporting the narrative that he was attempting to hide the truth.

It was revealed that Marsh had previously worked as a support assistant in a care home for adults with profound learning difficulties. Despite his training, he failed to act responsibly in the critical moments following Jessica’s injuries, instead opting to lie and manipulate the situation to avoid accountability. His actions and subsequent dishonesty were central to the court’s decision to impose a lengthy prison sentence, reflecting the severity of the crime and the devastating impact on Jessica’s family and the community of Folkestone.