A Greater Manchester police detective yesterday hailed the bravery of victims of a pedophile after he was jailed for 27 years following a 40-year reign of terror.
The pedophile, 74 year old David Marsh, was jailed yesterday, November 28, for 27 years for grooming and sexually abusing boys between the ages of six and nine in the 1980s and 1990s.
In court, Marsh, whose abusive tendencies re-emerged on a trip to Thailand, was seen in a disturbing clip approaching a group of boys, capturing their innocence on camera with the sickening words, “We are all enjoying ourselves,” as he pulled one onto his lap.
Marsh, alongside fellow pedophile, 72 year old Anthony Whitehead, was found guilty of 35 historic sex offences last month, thanks to the courage of survivors who stepped forward to recount their traumatic experiences. These two predators preyed on vulnerable children in Rochdale, Bolton, and Manchester, manipulating them with cigarettes, alcohol, and money before discarding them to face a lifetime of trauma.
One victim described feeling “knee deep in shame,” and many have been left with a deep mistrust of authorities. Yet it was this courage that ensured Marsh’s sentencing at Manchester Crown Court, where Whitehead, though unrelated to Marsh, was also sentenced, albeit to a shorter term of seven years.
Both men must serve at least two-thirds of their sentences before they are eligible for parole, marking a significant step in closing a dark chapter for their victims.
The conviction is the culmination of an exhaustive five-year investigation initiated in 2019 after one survivor bravely disclosed the abuse he suffered at the hands of Marsh.
This revelation prompted detectives from Greater Manchester Police’s Rochdale Complex Safeguarding Team to meticulously piece together the tragic accounts of other victims.
Detective Constable Andrea Richards, who tenaciously pursued this case from its inception, hailed the bravery of the survivors.
“The male survivors played a crucial role in bringing these abhorrent abusers to justice. It was incredibly brave of them to speak about their abuse, enduring a difficult and painful process.
“These depraved men are exactly where they should be—in jail, away from our communities and those within them.”
Picture courtesy of Greater Manchester policeRichards also extended a heartfelt appeal to any other survivors of Marsh and Whitehead’s reprehensible actions, emphasising that support is readily available.
“There may be others affected by Marsh and Whitehead’s separate campaigns of offending. We want all survivors of sexual abuse to know we are here to listen to them, at a pace they feel comfortable with.”
Greater Manchester Police remains committed to tackling child sexual exploitation (CSE), improving their approach to investigating both past and present cases said Detective Constable Richards.
“We hope that this conviction, and our continuously improving outcomes for victims, illustrates that time is no barrier to justice.”
As the curtain finally falls on Marsh and Whitehead’s monstrous misdeeds, this case serves as a sombre reminder of the enduring impact of childhood abuse. Yet, it also stands as a beacon of hope and justice, showcasing the tireless efforts of law enforcement and the incredible bravery of those seeking closure and healing.
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