A complex police investigation spanning nearly two years has resulted in a six-year prison sentence for a Nottingham man who pleaded guilty to sexually abusing a vulnerable teenager just as his trial was set to commence.
Luke Marsh, 30, from Boughton, entered guilty pleas at Leeds Crown Court on 25 November 2025 after initially facing trial for offences committed between July 2021 and July 2022. He received a sentence of six years and three months on Wednesday after admitting two counts of engaging in penetrative sexual activity with the teenage girl in the Kirklees area.
Specialist safeguarding detectives at Kirklees Police launched their investigation in April 2023 following the initial report of the offences. Officers arrested Marsh within days of the complaint being made, though charging did not occur until April 2024, a year after his arrest.
DC Yvonne Brear of the Kirklees Safeguarding Unit, who led the investigation, praised the victim and her family for their courage throughout the prosecution process. She stated Marsh had taken advantage of a vulnerable teenage girl whilst fully aware of her age, grooming her before committing serious sexual offences.
The detective confirmed Marsh was swiftly arrested and brought before the courts following what she described as a complex investigation. She emphasised the unit’s commitment to pursuing justice regardless of when offences occurred.
DC Brear issued an appeal to other potential victims, stating: “We continue to urge all victims of sexual offending to come forwards and contact us. Even if the offending took place many years ago, specialist officers will always investigate and do everything we can to get justice for you. We can also put victims in contact with a range of services for any long term support they may needs.”
Marsh will be required to sign the Sexual Offences Register upon his release from prison. The registration requirement forms part of the monitoring and management of convicted sex offenders in the community.
Authorities have directed anyone affected by sexual offences who has not yet reported to the When You Are Ready support service, which provides information and assistance to victims considering whether to come forward.
The guilty plea on the day trial was scheduled to begin meant the victim was spared the ordeal of giving evidence in court proceedings. The timing of the admission came more than 18 months after Marsh’s initial arrest and more than two years after the offences were first reported to police.
