FRANCIS CORY FROM WRIGHT JAILED FOR CHILD ABUSE IN THE 1970S
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Wright Sexual Abuser
In a case that has spanned decades, an 86-year-old man named Francis Cory from Wright has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for serious child abuse that occurred in the 1970s. The conviction follows a lengthy investigation and trial at St Albans Crown Court, where the court heard disturbing details about the abuse inflicted upon a young boy during fishing and hunting trips in Hertfordshire.
According to court records, the victim, who is now 44 years old, chose to come forward only recently, revealing that he had kept the traumatic events secret for many years out of fear of his father’s reaction. It was only after the death of his father that he felt able to speak to authorities about the abuse he endured as a child. The victim described the abuse as a burden he carried for decades, describing it as “unfinished business” that he needed to address.
Judge Stephen Warner, presiding over the case, characterized Cory-Wright as a “manipulative and predatory” individual. During the trial, evidence was presented that detailed how Cory-Wright, who was employed as an underwriter with Lloyds at the time, exploited the trust placed in him by the young boy. The court learned that the abuse took place during a summer when the victim was introduced to Cory-Wright through fishing activities with his father near the canal in Berkhamsted.
Prosecutors revealed that Cory-Wright had offered to take the boy fly-fishing and shooting, activities that were meant to be recreational but were exploited for his own sexual gratification. The court heard that Cory-Wright would pick up the boy in a vintage car and take him out into the countryside, where the abuse occurred. The judge emphasized the gravity of Cory-Wright’s actions, stating, “This was a significant breach of trust and the exploitation of a young child. You committed the offences for your own sexual gratification and your conduct was manipulative and predatory.”
Furthermore, the court highlighted the vulnerability of the victim, describing him as immature and confused at the time, and noting that he did not feel able to speak out about his experiences for many years. The jury was also informed that Cory-Wright had a prior conviction for a sexual assault on a 13-year-old boy in a shed in 1979. He was convicted of that attack in 1987 and served a four-month sentence.
Following his recent conviction, Cory-Wright was placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely and was subject to a sexual prevention order that prohibits him from having contact with children. The case underscores the importance of addressing historical abuse cases and the ongoing efforts to protect vulnerable individuals from predatory behavior.
According to court records, the victim, who is now 44 years old, chose to come forward only recently, revealing that he had kept the traumatic events secret for many years out of fear of his father’s reaction. It was only after the death of his father that he felt able to speak to authorities about the abuse he endured as a child. The victim described the abuse as a burden he carried for decades, describing it as “unfinished business” that he needed to address.
Judge Stephen Warner, presiding over the case, characterized Cory-Wright as a “manipulative and predatory” individual. During the trial, evidence was presented that detailed how Cory-Wright, who was employed as an underwriter with Lloyds at the time, exploited the trust placed in him by the young boy. The court learned that the abuse took place during a summer when the victim was introduced to Cory-Wright through fishing activities with his father near the canal in Berkhamsted.
Prosecutors revealed that Cory-Wright had offered to take the boy fly-fishing and shooting, activities that were meant to be recreational but were exploited for his own sexual gratification. The court heard that Cory-Wright would pick up the boy in a vintage car and take him out into the countryside, where the abuse occurred. The judge emphasized the gravity of Cory-Wright’s actions, stating, “This was a significant breach of trust and the exploitation of a young child. You committed the offences for your own sexual gratification and your conduct was manipulative and predatory.”
Furthermore, the court highlighted the vulnerability of the victim, describing him as immature and confused at the time, and noting that he did not feel able to speak out about his experiences for many years. The jury was also informed that Cory-Wright had a prior conviction for a sexual assault on a 13-year-old boy in a shed in 1979. He was convicted of that attack in 1987 and served a four-month sentence.
Following his recent conviction, Cory-Wright was placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely and was subject to a sexual prevention order that prohibits him from having contact with children. The case underscores the importance of addressing historical abuse cases and the ongoing efforts to protect vulnerable individuals from predatory behavior.