Town fan harasses couple and daughter by sending abusive text messages and letters
A MARINERS fan first befriended a couple and their 13-year-old daughter – then arranged for an undertaker to call them about her funeral arrangements – though she was very much alive.
Grimsby Magistrates heard Derek Marsden, 57, had met the family at Blundell park, where they regularly went to watch Grimsby Town in action.
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However, after making friends with them, Marsden, now of Sunnyside, Worksop, in Nottinghamshire, began to bombard them with abusive text messages and letters.
The shocked family – who cannot be named for legal reason – were then contacted by an undertaker offering to provide a service for their "deceased" daughter.
And while they were still reeling from the call, a wreath "in memory" of the teenager was delivered to their home.
Marsden admitted harassing the Grimsby couple and their daughter – claiming he had wanted to warn her that people could be nice to her face but not behind her back.
For Marsden, Ed Bates said his client deeply regretted his actions and was ashamed.
Mr Bates said: "His intention was to let her know that people will be nice to her face but not behind her back."
He received a six-month prison sentence suspended for two years and a restraining order lasting five years was also imposed on him, ordering him not to contact the family directly or go within 100 metres of their home in Grimsby.
He was also ordered to undergo supervision from the probation service.
For further details about the case, see today's Grimsby Telegraph.
9 Comments
by David Sanderson, Grimsby
Saturday, July 31 2010, 5:17PM
“Rob, you could have called him MASTER and we could use the theme tune to Captain Pugwash at home games next season!”
by David Sanderson, Grimsby
Saturday, July 31 2010, 5:16PM
“To be fair, any half decent, duty solicitor would suggest that watching town can send you over the edge and I doubt if many prosecution briefs would argue that one out too much. I'm not excusing the guy but I would rather admit to meeting someone in a public toilet than at Blundell Park (not that I ever have).”
by rob, grimsby
Saturday, July 31 2010, 8:18AM
“MR BATES,stated his client deeply regratted his actions and was ashamed, whats that for, being a town fan !!!!”
by josephine white, Grimsby
Saturday, July 31 2010, 8:16AM
“Dave wrote:"Why make such a point in this statement to point out he was a 'Town fan'. "
Good point.
As reported, Marsden met the family at Blundell Park where they "regularly went to watch Grimsby Town in action".
So the headline could just as easily have read "Man harasses Town Fans with abusive texts" ..
I doubt very much if the GT have got it in for Mariners supporters - but the media is a powerful thing and it should take care about what subliminal messages it's sending out on a daily basis.
"”
by fr, gy
Friday, July 30 2010, 10:11PM
“I agree with Dave, what's being a town fan got to do with this story?!
and yes slap wrists! nice one NOT!”
by the judge, tetney lock, tl
Friday, July 30 2010, 8:44PM
“Again another slapped wrist. The family must of had nightmares due to the terror from this man. He needed locking up in a secure unit. Or if i had my way id have him in the stocks outside the barge and let the publc throw small rocks at him.”
by gy docker, gy docks
Friday, July 30 2010, 11:23AM
“cmon doddsy where is his banning order and gy telegragh where is his photo, this is ten times more serious than a few fans on the pitch at burton, your double standards are appalling”
by davemumbo, GC
Friday, July 30 2010, 10:36AM
“Why make such a point in this statement to point out he was a 'Town fan'. Good old GT trying to increase further the bad name that us Grimsby fans are beginning to recieve. Trying to kill the club much? You're becoming a joke publication.”
by Hang em high, Grimsby
Friday, July 30 2010, 10:33AM
“Another joke from the crown prosecution service.Sick pervert wants hanging.”