FRANCIS WILLERS FROM NORWICH SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC CHILD ABUSE ON NORTHUMBERLAND STREET

A man named Francis Willers, hailing from Norwich, has been convicted of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of two young girls at his late mother's residence located on Northumberland Street. The court proceedings revealed that Willers engaged in a prolonged pattern of sexual assault against the victims, who were between the ages of nine and 13 at the time of the offenses. These disturbing acts took place both inside the family home and in a vehicle, with Willers allegedly using the property as a base for his abusive activities.

One of the victims recounted that Willers had told her he 'couldn't help it' because she 'looked like his mother,' a statement that underscores the disturbing nature of his psychological manipulation. In an attempt to silence the victims, Willers reportedly offered up to £2,000, a sum intended to buy their silence and prevent the abuse from coming to light. The abuse was ultimately uncovered when one of the girls confided in her teachers, prompting an investigation by law enforcement authorities in December 2024.

During the court proceedings, Willers admitted to two counts of raping a child under the age of 13, as well as engaging in sexual activity with the same victim. He also confessed to sexual activity with another young girl, further highlighting the severity of his crimes. His appearance in Norwich Crown Court culminated in a sentencing that saw him receive a total of 15 years in prison. This sentence comprises 12.5 years of incarceration followed by 2.5 years on license, reflecting the gravity of his offenses.

The presiding judge, Anthony Bate, described the crimes as extremely serious and issued a stark warning to Willers, emphasizing that he posed a significant risk of harm to other young girls. The victims' families and supporters provided impact statements during the trial, expressing their fears, anger, and the lasting emotional scars inflicted by Willers' actions. As part of his sentence, Willers was also placed on a lifelong sex offenders register and subjected to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions to prevent further offenses.

Law enforcement officials highlighted the importance of the victims' bravery in coming forward, with a police officer stating that their courage had been instrumental in ensuring Willers' incarceration. This case underscores the critical role of community vigilance and the justice system in protecting vulnerable children from predatory individuals like Francis Willers, whose actions have caused irreparable harm to his young victims and their families.