Former Weoley teacher found guilty of historic sexual offences against boys

Sas Taylor

A 91 year old former teacher and youth club worker has been found guilty of sexually abusing 15 boys at a Weoley Castle school over 40 years ago.

Marcus Marcussen, from Tenbury Wells, was a PE teacher at Ilmington Road Comprehensive School for 45 years and at the time, also ran The Square Club, a local youth club, where further acts of abuse took place. The school was demolished in 1985.

West Midlands Police began an investigation after one of Marcussen’s victims, now 54, found the courage to report the appalling abuse he had inflicted upon him during and after PE lessons from the age of 12.

Following the initial allegations, Marcussen was interviewed and charged with indecent assault.

Police then launched an appeal to determine if there were any further victims and a number of former pupils got in touch to report assaults, both at the school and youth club.

Police questioned Marcussen again, who in interview maintained the allegations were fabricated and denied them. However, he was further charged in total with 30 counts of indecent assault and three counts of gross indecency against boys under 16, between 1957-1978.

Thanks to the bravery of his victims in coming forward, Marcussen was today found guilty of 25 counts of sexual assault at Birmingham Crown Court and faces sentencing on Friday 13th February.

Detective Inspector Ian Ingram from Birmingham’s Sexual offences Team, said: “At the time of offending, Marcussen abused the position he was in and sexually assaulted these young boys, who he was supposed to be supervising.

“His victims were left traumatised by what happened and continue to suffer to this day, but have shown commendable courage to draw a line under the abuse they suffered as children and to see their attacker face justice.”

DI Ingram added: “We have Public Protection officers who are specially trained to deal sensitively and compassionately with victims; they are able to support and guide them every step of the way from initial report to court conclusion.

“We will always take reports of sexual abuse seriously – and victims needn’t worry that offences occurred many years ago because, as cases like this show, we can still build compelling cases against offenders.

“I would urge anyone who has suffered abuse, no matter how long ago, to contact West Midlands Police so we can investigate and I hope today’s sentence serves to help anyone else who may find themselves in a similar situation to have the courage to come forward and report abuse.

“We have a range of support services available from the police and a raft of other agencies. We have specially trained and experienced officers who can offer practical advice and support in all aspects of sexual and domestic abuse.”

Source: b31