'I'll do anything to stay out': Telford tattoo artist with history of attacking women avoids jail after plea to judge
A tattoo artist who smashed his way into his ex's house and pushed her onto her back despite being banned from contacting her has avoided prison.
Father-of-two Joshua Marsh, who has a long history of attacking and harassing his ex-partners, begged Judge Anthony Lowe from the dock not to send him to jail, insisting he would "do anything" to stay out.
The judge said Marsh, aged 31, "blamed everyone else" for his behaviour, but gave him "one last chance", despite accepting his victim would wonder what he has to do to "get his comeuppance".
Shrewsbury Crown Court heard how Marsh had attended the victim's home on March 23 this year and walked their son to school before the offences took place. His victim had been going along with Marsh picking their son up from her home on a regular basis - in breach of a non-molestation order - to "placate him", said Kevin Jones, prosecuting.
After dropping off the boy at school, Marsh followed the victim home and barged his way in, wedging his foot in the door before destroying the lock. When he was inside, he put his arms around her waist and pushed her onto her back. She managed to phone the police and Marsh was arrested.
Marsh, of Chapel Street, St Georges, Telford, pleaded guilty to criminal damage, using violence to secure entry and breaching a non-molestation order.
