Who was Sasha Marsden and how long did caretaker David Minto get for killing her?
The 16-year-old childcare student was killed by hotel caretaker David Minto, who received a life sentence with a minimum term of 35 years.
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10 years after the Blackpool murder, Sasha's family continues to campaign to ensure her killer remains behind bars permanently.
Who was Sasha Marsden?
Sasha was just 16 years old when her life was taken, a college student from Blackpool with her future ahead of her.
The teenager was studying childcare, pursuing her dream of working with children.
The teen was described by her family as kind-hearted and loving.
She was also popular among her peers at college, where she was working toward qualifications that would allow her to pursue her chosen career path.
Sasha lived with her family in Blackpool, a town better known for its pleasure beach and tourist attractions than for the horrific crime that would later shock its residents to the core.
The horrific crime
On January 31, 2013, Sasha went to the Grafton House Hotel in the South Shore area of Blackpool.
The teenager was stabbed 58 times in what prosecutors described in court as a "sexually motivated" attack.
After the attack, Minto set Sasha's body on fire before dumping her in an alleyway behind the hotel.
Investigators described the attack as one of the worst they had encountered in their careers.
Who was David Minto?
David Minto was working as a caretaker at the Grafton House Hotel in Blackpool at the time of the murder.
The then 23-year-old contacted Sasha under the pretence of offering her a job, as the court heard during his trial.
Evidence presented in court showed Minto had contacted her regarding potential employment, knowing she was interested in job opportunities.
According to evidence presented in court, Sasha's parents unknowingly came face-to-face with Minto while searching for their daughter, unaware her body was nearby.
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The investigation and trial
Police discovered Sasha's burned body in the alleyway behind the hotel.
Despite the fire damage, forensic investigators collected evidence linking Minto to the crime.
David Minto was charged with Sasha's murder on February 3, 2013, just days after the killing.
He denied the charges, which led to a full trial where the family heard details of what happened to Sasha.
The evidence against Minto was described in court as "overwhelming".
It included DNA evidence, witness testimony, and his behaviour following the killing.
Justice for Sasha
On July 26, 2013, David Minto was found guilty of Sasha's murder after a trial at Preston Crown Court.
The judge sentenced him to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 35 years before he could be considered for parole.
In his sentencing remarks, the judge noted the calculated nature of the crime and the extreme violence used.
The court heard how Sasha had suffered what was described as a "brutal and sustained attack."
The 35-year minimum term was one of the longest ever handed down in a Lancashire murder case, though not the whole-life tariff that Sasha's family had hoped for.
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The family's ongoing fight
More than a decade after Sasha's murder, her family continues to campaign to keep Minto in prison for the rest of his life.
Her sister has been vocal in calling for the removal of time limits on Minto's sentence, advocating for a whole-life tariff that would prevent his release.
Under current law, Minto could potentially be eligible for parole after serving his 35-year minimum term.
The family's campaign continues as they approach the 10-year anniversary of Sasha's death.
A case that shocked Blackpool
Sasha's murder received extensive coverage in Blackpool and across the UK. The case remains one of the most significant in the area's history.
The crime and the age of the victim made national headlines and continue to be discussed in true crime coverage.
Now, the case is being featured in "Killer at the Crime Scene," airing this Sunday, July 27 at 10pm, which examines the investigation that led to Minto's conviction and the impact on Sasha's family and the community.
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