8 year sentence for man who committed sexual offences involving children
The man who used to live in Corsham has been jailed at Swindon Crown Court today (January 30)
Last updated 30th Jan 2023
A man has been sentenced for eight years after a number of sexual offences involving children.
Marshall Taylor, formally known as Mark Benjamin, 56, currently of Wain Close, Pennarth, Glamorgan lived on Pine Close, Rudloe, Corsham at the time of the offences.
Following his arrest, he changed his name via deed poll.
On May 20 2022, his address was searched and a number of electronic storage devices were seized - these were later found to contain over 1500 indecent images.
Those images included those of children. Police say they were of the 'most offensive' category.
Two videos of child abuse were also found which Taylor later pleaded guilty to making, and of two counts of sexual touching of a child.
He also pleaded guilty to filming a third video of abuse and possession of Category A, B, C and extreme images.
Officers identified the boys involved in these videos, who are now adults. One was supportive of the investigation and provided a statement about the abuse he suffered.
At an earlier hearing, on December 15, 2022, a jury at Swindon Crown Court unanimously found Taylor guilty of causing a child to watch a sexual act and two counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity.
Whilst on bail Taylor went on to view and possess further extreme images.
Today he was sentenced for 10 offences, to serve an 8-year custodial sentence and was issued with a sexual harm prevention order which will run until 2038.
The officer in the case, DC Simon Rogers said: “I am very happy with the guilty verdict and hope that this brings closure to the victims.
“Taylor is an extremely dangerous individual and he posed a serious risk to the public. I welcome the custodial sentence passed today.
“Taylor took his time to gain the trust of these boys and groom them to believe that his behaviour was normal.
“I would like to commend their bravery.
“I encourage all victims of sexual violence, no matter how long ago, to feel that they can come forward and speak to the Police.”