Knottfield - Marshall jailed for six years

85-year-old Joseph Henry Marshall has today been sentenced to 6 years in prison, after having been found guilty of committing serious sexual offences between 1974 and 1982.

During those years, Mr Marshall sexually abused two boys, both of whom were under 16 years of age at the time, at the Knottfield care home on Woodbourne Road, Douglas, where he was employed as the resident housemaster.

Following an investigation by detectives from the Isle of Man Constabulary’s Criminal Investigation and Public Protection Departments, Mr Marshall was duly summonsed to appear before the Court, where he was found guilty on Tuesday 14^th December 2021 of having committed five sexual offences against his two victims.

Inspector Neil Craig, one of the Senior Investigating Officers involved in the enquiry, said:

“Mr Marshall both used, and abused, his position of trust as the housemaster within the Knottfield care home over many years in order to be able to commit these offences. His behaviour was deplorable, and showed a complete and utter disregard for the victims whom he has been convicted of having offended against. 

“He likely believed that the passage of time would allow his offending to remain undetected, however as a result of this investigation he is now having to face the consequences of his actions.

“The men who agreed to testify against him have been incredibly brave from the time of initially coming forward and speaking to the police, right through to having to give evidence in court, and beyond. Without their courage, Mr Marshall is unlikely to have been found guilty of having offended against them, and I hope that his sentencing today will help of both them, and their families, to now be able to start to move forward with their lives.

Similarly, I would like to thank the prosecuting Advocates of the Attorney General’s Chambers, and their colleagues from the wider prosecution team, who have collectively spent the last four years tirelessly ensuring that this case was brought to court, along with its subsequent prosecution which was undertaken with both compassion and sensitivity.”

Regardless of when they may have happened, the Isle of Man Constabulary remain committed to treating all reports of sexual offences seriously and with the utmost professionalism, thoroughness and with the aim of bringing any perpetrators of such crimes to justice."

Victim Support IOM has supported some of those affected by the recent charges and the previous convictions of Marshall.

One of the Victims wished to say “Thank you to the Police and to Victim Support. Thank you for everything you do. I couldn’t have done it without you. They (Victim Support) never told me what to do, they had me come to my own conclusions. The result isn’t important. Whether he goes to Prison or not, is immaterial. The judicial system has been followed. The victims have been heard. A guilty verdict is not just for the crimes he committed against me, but a guilty verdict is for the crimes he committed against every single victim he made. I felt believed as soon as I had given my interview to the Police and being believed was the biggest part for me.”

Paula Gelling Manager of Victim Support, who is also an Independent Sexual Violence Advisor, said:

“The impact of these types of crimes on victims has life changing implications. The types of crimes are adverse childhood experiences. The victims quickly grow not to trust, they have huge issues with self- esteem and confidence, they have nightmares or night terrors, have flashbacks and they suffer from post- traumatic stress, to name a few of the many outcomes from the horrific actions committed by one individual. At Victim Support IOM we work with the victims to seek the appropriate support. Often they just want support from us, but this can include outside agencies for counselling or psychological support. We are here to help”

Victim Support are open Monday - Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm and can be contacted on 01624 679950 or via enquiries@victimsupport.im to make an appointment with the Welfare Team.