JOHN FRANCIS FROM MARCH AND PRESTATYN SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE IN CAMBRIDGE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the communities of March and Prestatyn, a man named John Francis has been convicted and sentenced for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed against a young girl. The abuse spanned over seven years, beginning when the victim was just six years old and continuing until she reached the age of 13. The court heard how Francis, who was formerly residing on Norwood Road in March but has since moved to Stephen Road in Prestatyn, Wales, engaged in repeated acts of sexual assault during this period.

John Francis, now aged 76, was brought before Cambridge Crown Court to face the charges. The court was informed that the abuse took place between 2008 and 2015, a period during which the young girl was vulnerable and unable to seek help. The severity of the case was compounded by Francis’s threats to silence his victim, warning her not to disclose the abuse under the threat that he would serve time in prison and that harm would come to those around her.

During police interviews, Francis admitted to the offences and expressed his ongoing struggle with what he described as his 'sexual sins.' He confessed that he had found it difficult to resist these urges, which led to the repeated abuse of the young girl. The victim, who only recently disclosed the abuse after visiting her general practitioner, recounted the numerous occasions on which she was victimized.

At the hearing, Francis pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including two counts of exposure, one count of assault by penetration of a child, and two counts of sexual assault on a child under the age of 13. The court found his admissions credible and took into account the gravity of the offences.

On Thursday, November 8, the judge sentenced Francis to a total of eight years in prison. In addition to his custodial sentence, the court imposed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) that will remain in effect for ten years. This order restricts Francis from making any contact with the victim or her family, and it prohibits him from having any unsupervised contact with children under 16. Furthermore, he is barred from engaging in any voluntary or paid activities involving individuals under 18.

Francis was also placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions aimed at protecting the community from further harm. The case highlights the importance of vigilance and the need for victims to come forward, even years after the abuse has occurred, to ensure justice is served and public safety is maintained.