Social Worker Who Abused Children Sent To Jail For Life

A former social worker who carried out an eight-year campaign of abuse in two children’s homes was jailed for life yesterday. John Marshall, 61, who targeted children as young as three to be groomed for his future pleasure, was told by the judge, Lord Brailsford, that he would have to spend 12 years in jail before being considered for parole.
{mosimage}The High Court in Glasgow heard that he wrecked the lives of 16 boys and girls, some of whom are still severely traumatised more than 30 years later.

Many of them sat in the back of the court as Lord Brailsford handed down the sentence. Men and women, many in their 30s, wept and cuddled each other in emotional scenes outside the courtroom. Inside, one woman challenged Marshall to look at her.

A man screamed at him “You will be getting abused in prison” and there were shouts of “I hope you rot in hell”.

The young woman who wanted Marshall to look at her face said later: “I used to think of the day I would sit in court as an adult to watch him squirm like I squirmed when he watched me when I was a child and he was an adult. I believe he did squirm today but he didn’t show it.

“I just wanted him to look at my face and remember what I went through for the rest of his life. I have waited 26 years for justice and to prove that we didn’t lie about what he did to us.”

During an earlier appearance in court, Marshall, who was extradited from Australia in March, admitted 14 charges of lewd and libidinous practices towards children aged five to 14 between 1974 and 1982.

The catalogue of depravity took place when Marshall was employed at Eversley and Downcraig children’s homes in Glasgow. Some of the offences also happened on holidays and day trips, and in his mother’s home.

Marshall even persuaded two young children to have simulated sex with each other as he looked on. He also took indecent pictures of the children.

Yesterday Lord Brailsford heard a psychological assessment that Marshall still fantasises about children, is at high risk of reoffending and presents a continuing danger.

Sentencing Marshall, Lord Brailsford told him his crimes were “appalling” and a “gross breach of trust”. The abuse was made worse by the fact that the victims were vulnerable children in his care.

He added: “Many of them are still suffering serious psychological consequences.”