Pervert pensioner slashes own neck in dock seconds after judge passes sentence

A pervert pensioner slashed his own neck in court just moments after he was being jailed for sexual assault.

Leslie Marrs, 76, cut the right side of his neck twice with a craft knife seconds after Judge Stuart Driver QC said Marrs had previously told probation officials “he would commit suicide before he reached prison.”

He added: “He needs to be handled with particular care today.”

However, seconds later Marrs produced the blade from his suit and twice slashed his neck before the dock officer wrestled the weapon from him.

The officer then pressed paper towels to the wound while urgently calling for assistance, the Liverpool Echo reports.

The former soldier and the court was cleared of most of those present, which included the shocked mum of Marrs’ teenage victim.

Security staff arrived to administer first aid and paramedics and an ambulance rushed to Liverpool Crown Court to attend to him in the cells.

Marrs, from Dunkeld Close, Kensington, Liverpool, had just been jailed to 32 months after admitting sexual assault and ordered to sign the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Anya Horwood, prosecuting, had told the court the victim, who was in her mid-teens, confided in her youth worker some months earlier she had been sexually assaulted by Marrs.

When interviewed Marrs, who had also previously made inappropriate remarks, claimed that they had been discussing pubic hair and “in that context touched her vaginal area.”

A photograph of his penis was found on his mobile phone and he admitted the girl, who was vulnerable, might have seen it but he had not shown it to her.

In an impact statement the victim’s mum told how the girl had suffered nightmares and self-harmed after the assault and had displayed out of character challenging behaviour.

She said she realised now that Marrs had been grooming her daughter. “I believe he knew exactly what he was doing.”

The court heard that he has previous convictions but none for sexual offences.

Paul Lewis, defending, said that Marrs has chronic lung issues and heart problems and some mental health problems relating to his Army service.

Sentencing Marrs earlier today, Monday, the judge said that he had caused “significant psychological harm” to his victim and described her mum’s statement as moving.

After Marr sliced his neck the court was closed for a while to allow for it to be thoroughly cleaned.

Marrs was taken to hospital for treatment and no injuries were sustained to officers during the incident.

For emotional support, you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.