Bruce Marshall

An 85-year-old Somerset man, Bruce Marshall, has been jailed for 22 years for a series of non-recent sexual offences against a child, including rape. The sentence, imposed at Exeter Crown Court on Monday 27 April 2026, means Marshall is expected to spend the rest of his life behind bars.

The crimes came to light when Avon and Somerset Police visited the victim’s home as part of an unrelated inquiry. The victim became emotional and disclosed she had been sexually abused as a child. Further statements were then taken from witnesses in whom she had confided.

Marshall, of Woolavington near Bridgwater, was initially spoken to at his address and interviewed in February 2023. Officers gathered "sufficient evidence" and witness testimony that contradicted his account, leading to his arrest later that year. Investigators also seized his passport after finding he had overseas links.

On one occasion, Marshall was caught sexually assaulting his victim; on another, he assaulted her in the changing rooms of a swimming pool in Somerset. He was charged on 29 November 2024 and subsequently pleaded guilty on 24 March 2026 at Exeter Crown Court to one count of rape, two counts of gross indecency with a child, and two counts of sexual assault against a child.

During the sentencing hearing, the victim bravely read a statement describing how she had "refuse[d] to allow Marshall to know how his horrific actions have impacted me" but explained that the police turning up at her home had ultimately handed him "on a silver plate to finally get justice".

DC Damon Carney, from Avon and Somerset Police’s specialist child protection team, said: "Marshall has been convicted of very serious sexual offences against a child. Despite this being a non-recent case, the commitment of the victim and witnesses to support an investigation and seek justice has been the driving force which ultimately provided the overwhelming evidence that Marshall is guilty of these offences."

Handing down the sentence, HH 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." Marshall was sentenced to 22 years imprisonment, with an additional year on licence, but given his age he is likely to die in prison.