Sasha Marsden was a 16-year-old student studying childcare who lived with her parents in Staining, near Blackpool, England. Six months before her death, she had gone missing for six days before being found in Lowestoft, Suffolk. On 31 January 2013, Marsden was dropped off at the Grafton House Hotel in Blackpool, believing she was attending a job interview. It was alleged by the media that she had received threatening emails prior to the murder.
Marsden's body was later found in an alleyway in Blackpool's South Shore district. A post-mortem examination found that she had been sexually assaulted and stabbed 58 times, and her body had been wrapped in carpet underlay and bin liners. There had also been attempts to set fire to her body.
The day after her body was discovered, a 22-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman from the local area were arrested on suspicion of murder. On 3 February 2013, David Minto, the caretaker of the hotel, was charged with Marsden's murder, while the woman who had been arrested was released without charge. Minto appeared in court the following day and pleaded not guilty on 24 April 2013. He was remanded in custody ahead of a trial that began on 15 July 2013.
On 26 July 2013, Minto was found guilty of Marsden's murder. He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 35 years to be served before he would be eligible for parole. Minto appealed against his sentence in February 2014, but the Court of Appeal of England and Wales upheld the conviction and the 35-year minimum term.
In the aftermath of the case, Marsden's sister, Gemma Aitchison, began campaigning to support sexual assault victims and to change community attitudes, particularly among young people. This work included a successful campaign for compulsory Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education for all young people in the UK, covering topics such as the harm of gender stereotypes, consent, healthy relationships, and the impact of pornography.
The case received international media coverage at the time.
Sasha Marsden was stabbed to death after being dropped off at the Grafton House Hotel, Blackpool, believing she had a job interview; her body was later found in a nearby alleyway and had been set on fire.
2013-02-01
A 22-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of murder.
2013-02-03
David Minto, the hotel caretaker, was charged with Marsden's murder; the woman arrested was released without charge.
2013-02-04
Minto made his first court appearance.
2013-04-24
Minto pleaded not guilty.
2013-07-15
Minto's trial began after he was remanded in custody.
2013-07-26
Minto was found guilty of Marsden's murder and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 35 years.
2014-02
Minto's appeal against his sentence was heard and the 35-year minimum term was upheld by the Court of Appeal of England and Wales.
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Titles and descriptions are the creators’ own and may not reflect current legal status; see the dossier above for sourced case facts.
VIDEO
Emma Kenny / 52 min
Behind Bright Lights: Sasha Marsden's Tragic Fate at the Hands of David Minto in Blackpool
People
Sasha Marsden
VICTIM
16-year-old childcare student who was sexually assaulted, stabbed 58 times, and set on fire on 31 January 2013.
David Minto
CONVICTED
Hotel caretaker convicted on 26 July 2013 of Marsden's murder; sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 35 years, upheld on appeal in February 2014.
Roles reflect public records and court outcomes at the time of writing — supporting citations are on file under Sources.
Sasha Marsden, a 16-year-old childcare student from near Blackpool, England, was sexually assaulted, stabbed 58 times, and set on fire on 31 January 2013 after being lured to a hotel under the guise of a job interview. David Minto, the hotel's caretaker, was convicted of her murder in July 2013 and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 35 years.
Where did the murder happen?
South Shore, Blackpool, England.
Who was convicted?
David Minto (Hotel caretaker convicted on 26 July 2013 of Marsden's murder; sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 35 years, upheld on appeal in February 2014.).
