Knottfield: Jury retires to consider verdict

85-year-old accused of nine sexual offences

The jury has retired to consider its verdict in the case against a former 'senior house parent' accused of sexually abusing children in his care.

85-year-old Joseph Henry Marshall is standing trial accused of nine offences – six counts of indecent assault, two of gross indecency and one of buggery.

Those offences were allegedly committed against three boys, who were under the age of 16, between 1974 and 1982 at Knottfield in Douglas.

In his summing up this morning, on day five of the trial, Acting Deemster Bernard Richmond QC reminded the jury of the evidence they had heard from the three complainants in the case and the defence’s response to it. 

He confirmed the verdict for each offence had to be unanimous from the seven jurors adding: “Take as much time as you need”. 

Jurors were sent out at 11.02am. 

Joseph Henry Marshall denies the nine charges against him.