Police Employee Believed Online Sex Chat Was With 14-Year-Old Girl

A civilian employee of a police department engaged in online sexual discussions using his official computer, under the impression he was communicating with a 14-year-old girl. Gary Marsden, a father of two and manager of a children’s football team, was in fact communicating with an undercover police officer. The 50-year-old initially pleaded not guilty to attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, as well as two additional similar charges. However, on the third day of his trial, he altered his plea to guilty, leading to the dismissal of the other two charges. Marsden received a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, at Liverpool Crown Court. The court was informed that Marsden resided at his family home in Wigan with his wife and young children when the offense occurred in February 2023. This civilian supervisor for Cheshire Constabulary was employed within the North West Motorway Unit, located in Newton-le-Willows. Martyn Walsh, the prosecutor, stated that Marsden had accessed his Twitter account while at work during his conversation with the undercover officer and had taken a photograph of himself in his boxer shorts. Mr. Walsh further noted that Marsden had characterized the “girl” as “sexy” and had made demands of her using sexually explicit language. He conveyed to her: “I don’t mind some risk.” Following the online exchange, officers from Cheshire Constabulary apprehended Marsden at his residence, according to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC). The IOPC also reported that Marsden confessed to communicating with two additional individuals he believed to be “14-year-olds.” Steven Nikolich, representing the defense, stated that Marsden had no prior convictions and was described as “someone probation can work with,” indicating a realistic chance of rehabilitation. His former wife submitted a letter to the court in his defense. Judge Anil Murray mandated Marsden to complete 150 hours of unpaid community service and to be listed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for a decade.