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Life term for serial child abuser Life term for serial child abuser
(about 2 hours later)
A man responsible for an eight-year campaign of abuse in children's homes in Glasgow has been jailed for life.A man responsible for an eight-year campaign of abuse in children's homes in Glasgow has been jailed for life.
Former social worker John Marshall, 61, from Lincolnshire, had groomed children as young as three.Former social worker John Marshall, 61, from Lincolnshire, had groomed children as young as three.
Marshall, who was extradited from Australia in July, admitted 14 charges of lewd and libidinous practices towards children between 1974 and 1982.Marshall, who was extradited from Australia in July, admitted 14 charges of lewd and libidinous practices towards children between 1974 and 1982.
The judge, Lord Brailsford, said Marshall would spend 12 years in jail before being considered for parole.The judge, Lord Brailsford, said Marshall would spend 12 years in jail before being considered for parole.
Many of his victims were present at the High Court in Glasgow as the judge passed sentence.Many of his victims were present at the High Court in Glasgow as the judge passed sentence.
The catalogue of abuse took place when Marshall was employed at Eversley and Downcraig children's homes.The catalogue of abuse took place when Marshall was employed at Eversley and Downcraig children's homes.
Many of the victims are still suffering serious psychological consequences Lord BrailsfordMany of the victims are still suffering serious psychological consequences Lord Brailsford
Some of the offences also occurred on holidays and in his mother's home.Some of the offences also occurred on holidays and in his mother's home.
A psychological assessment found that Marshall was at high risk of reoffending and represented a continuing danger to children.A psychological assessment found that Marshall was at high risk of reoffending and represented a continuing danger to children.
Sentencing Marshall, Lord Brailsford said his crimes were "appalling" and a "gross breach of trust".Sentencing Marshall, Lord Brailsford said his crimes were "appalling" and a "gross breach of trust".
He added that the abuse was made worse by the fact that the victims were vulnerable children in his care.He added that the abuse was made worse by the fact that the victims were vulnerable children in his care.
"Many of them are still suffering serious psychological consequences," he said."Many of them are still suffering serious psychological consequences," he said.
Serial abuserSerial abuser
Marshall was apprehended after one of his victims wrote to his MP, the then trade and industry minister Patricia Hewitt, complaining that a police investigation into the abuse had come to nothing.Marshall was apprehended after one of his victims wrote to his MP, the then trade and industry minister Patricia Hewitt, complaining that a police investigation into the abuse had come to nothing.
The minister wrote to Strathclyde Police and officers began an inquiry.The minister wrote to Strathclyde Police and officers began an inquiry.
More victims were traced after the publication of national newspaper articles.More victims were traced after the publication of national newspaper articles.
The investigation led to Marshall being unmasked as a serial abuser of children in his care.The investigation led to Marshall being unmasked as a serial abuser of children in his care.
Detectives found he had moved from his Lincolnshire home to Queensland, Australia.Detectives found he had moved from his Lincolnshire home to Queensland, Australia.
The officers travelled there earlier this year to arrest Marshall after being granted an extradition warrant.The officers travelled there earlier this year to arrest Marshall after being granted an extradition warrant.
Lawyer Cameron Fyfe, who represents some of the victims, said: "My clients, who have gone through many years of suffering, are clearly delighted that this man has been given such a heavy sentence, which they feel is well deserved."