MANCHESTER PENSIONER RONALD MARSEN SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES AGAINST YOUNG GIRLS

In November 2012, Ronald Marsden, an 80-year-old man from Aberford Road, Baguley, Manchester, was sentenced to 32 months in prison for sexually assaulting two young girls aged four and five, and for creating indecent images of them. Marsden pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault and six counts of making indecent images of his victims.

The court heard that the predator took photographs of the girls, which he stored on a memory card. One of the victims, a five-year-old girl who bravely confided in her mother about the assault on August 9, 2012, was pictured holding her Barbie doll. Detective Constable Emma Cochrane of the Public Protection Division described the crimes as "the most reprehensible" and said this was "nothing short of a living nightmare for them and their families."

She added, "Both girls have been supported by specially trained officers throughout, and they will continue to receive help. They have shown incredible bravery, dignity, and cooperation for their age. I hope it brings some comfort that the person responsible is now in prison."

Following the mother’s report to police, Marsden was arrested the next day. Police found a memory card tucked inside his wallet, which was seized along with other items, including a digital camera hidden inside a sock in a chest of drawers. Examination of these devices revealed indecent images of the two young victims and another girl of four years old, later identified by authorities.

Detective Constable Cochrane emphasized, "We will thoroughly investigate all reports of sexual assault. If anyone has been a victim, regardless of when it happened, please contact us in complete confidence."

In August 2012, Marsden, then aged 79, was charged with two counts of sexual assault and the possession of indecent images following an incident involving the five-year-old girl. Manchester police officers also recovered numerous electronic devices during a raid on his home.

He appeared before Manchester City Magistrates’ Court and was scheduled to return for another hearing on August 24, 2012. Greater Manchester Police urged the public to come forward with any information that could assist the investigation, advising anyone with details to contact the Public Protection Investigation Unit at Wythenshawe Police Station on 0161 856 6053, 101, or anonymously through Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111.