Over the last 10 months he has become a self-imposed recluse as he coped with “unnecessary public humiliation” and battled Parkinson’s disease.
SUPPORT Cllr Ray Guselli says lessons must be learnt after an allegation of historic child sex abuse against his friend David Marcus was dropped Roosecote councillor Ray Guselli has witnessed first hand how the intensive police investigation affected Mr Marcus.
He was also there for former councillor and friend Ken Williams, who was also subject to an investigation for sexual touching, harassment and money laundering. After four months of investigation that case was also taken no further.
Mr Marcus was arrested on suspicion of indecent historical sexual assault involving a child. The 66-year-old, from Biggar Village, Walney, was rebailed for the fourth time last December and was due to attend Barrow police station again on March 18.
Detectives have now confirmed they will be taking no further action against the former Walney South Conservative councillor.
Mr Marcus is well known locally as he has directed and starred in countless school concerts, plays and pantos as well as teaching drama and speech therapy in local schools.
He now hopes to rebuild his life and get back to doing what he loves.
Cllr Guselli has spoken out on behalf of his friend as he isn’t well enough to be able to do it himself. He said: “I am delighted that David faces absolutely no charges following unpleasant ill-founded allegations made against him.
“Already suffering ill health, this totally unnecessary public humiliation has had a further damaging impact upon him, but appears to be endemic in a judicial system which now advocates trial by media, rather than the court of law; somewhat in vogue following the Jimmy Savile revelations.
“Of course this is almost identical to the manner in which the equally malicious and ill-founded allegations were made against another local councillor, Ken Williams. He too had absolutely nothing to answer.
“Why were lessons not learnt, which might have avoided an already sick person having to endure the agony of arrest on suspicion of an indecent assault involving a child?
“One simply cannot imagine the anguish and damage such an allegation had on David Marcus and his family. He is now left to try to pick up the pieces of his shattered life.
“One questions why we have a judicial system which names someone who has had these heinous but false allegations made against them, allowing the accuser the benefit of anonymity. This may encourage some people so minded, to knowingly make false allegations, apparently exempt from any police action.
Lord Bramall, who has criticised the Metropolitan Police for forcing him to clear his name over historical claims of sex abuse. Photo: Tony Harris/PA Wire Cllr Guselli’s comments came after former armed forces chief Lord Bramall launched a blistering attack on Scotland Yard for its handling of child sex abuse allegations against him.
The 92-year-old D-Day veteran, whose home was searched in front of his dying wife, said detectives “didn’t bother” to get any corroboration before launching the inquiry.
Cllr Guselli said: “Anyone can make such allegations and without corroboration of the claims, the accused is publically named and shamed. This is wrong.”
Cllr Guselli said he has been a lifelong supporter of the police and it gave him no pleasure to be critical of them or the judicial system.
He added: “If there is anything positive to come from this, it is perhaps only that David Marcus, with absolutely nothing to answer, at long last feels he is now able to go out again without any recrimination.
“Hopefully the adverse effect this allegation has had on his health may now subside and he will be able to return to some normality and start once again, producing the shows he is so well known for in this town.
“How sad that he had to endure such a trial, when like his councillor colleague and Lord Bramall, had there been some corroboration of the allegations made, it might all have been unnecessary.”
Mr Marcus’s solicitor Mr Trystan Roberts, of Poole Townsend said: “He has always adamantly denied the allegations made against him and was confident that no action would be taken. The last few months have been particularly stressful but he is now looking forward to moving on with his reputation intact.”
A spokesman for Cumbria Constabulary said: “A 66-year-old man from Barrow, who was arrested on suspicion of indecent assault involving a child, has been released with no further action to be taken at this time.”
READ MORE: A look back at David Marcus's 44 year involvement in local am-dram
Former Barrow mayor speaks of how sex offence arrest hell "ruined" his political career
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