Man, 85, jailed for 22 years for child sex offences

A man is expected to spend the rest of his life in jail after being sentenced to 22 years in prison for non-recent sexual offences, including rape of a child.

Bruce Marshall, 85, of Woolavington, near Bridgwater, in Somerset, pleaded guilty to rape, two counts of gross indecency with a child, and two counts of sexual assault against a child, on 24 March, at Exeter Crown Court.

He was sentenced at the same court on Monday, 27 April.

DC Damon Carney, from the specialist child protection team at Avon and Somerset Police, said: "The sentence is reflective of the harm he has caused and the risk he poses."

Police said investigating officers visited the home of the victim to inform them an investigation was being carried out into an unrelated offence.

The victim, who became emotional, then declared she was sexually abused as a child, the force said.

Further statements were taken from witnesses the victim confided in, and Marshall was spoken to at his address about the allegations against him and was interviewed in February 2023, police said.

On one occasion, Marshall was caught sexually assaulting his victim, and on another occasion, he assaulted them in the changing rooms of a swimming pool in Somerset, officers said.

After investigating officers gathered "sufficient evidence", Marshall was arrested in 2023, police said.

The victim read an impact statement in court, which she had been reluctant to do "because I refuse to allow Marshall to know how his horrific actions have impacted me".

"I never thought I would say this, but I want to thank the detective for coming to my home and turning my world upside down," she said.

"After decades of feeling too scared to speak out against Marshall, for fear of not being believed, it was him who handed Marshall to me on a silver plate to finally get justice."

Carney said "we hope this provides some assurance to victims of sexual assault that no matter how long ago the offending happened, you will be believed, and an investigation will be carried out".

During sentencing, Judge Climie told Marshall: "This case is not about you, it is about the victim, a victim of your torture and cruelty, but your guilty plea does not, cannot and will not compensate her."

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