KENNETH FRANCIS FROM BOREHAM AND TOKYO JAILED FOR CHILD ABUSE IN CHELMSFORD

In a case that has shocked the local community and beyond, Kenneth Francis, a former teacher and choirmaster, has been sentenced to prison for heinous crimes committed against four young boys during the 1970s. The offenses took place at Widford Lodge Boarding School in Chelmsford, where Francis was employed as a choirmaster and teacher, and also at his then residence in Boreham, Hertfordshire. The court heard that Francis, now 72 and residing in Akasaka, Tokyo, engaged in a series of disturbing acts of sexual abuse over a period spanning from 1972 to 1979.

According to the court proceedings, Francis targeted boys under the age of 16, subjecting them to inappropriate touching, including touching their genitals, and making them keep secrets about the abuse. One of the victims recounted during the trial that Francis had assaulted him beneath the school stage and then rewarded him with stars, claiming they were for his performance. The court was also told that Francis had kissed pupils during private lessons before the assaults occurred, and on some occasions, he provided alcohol to his victims, further enabling his predatory behavior.

The court heard that the abuse was not confined to the school premises but also occurred at Francis’s home in Boreham, Hertfordshire. The victims were subjected to a range of manipulative and abusive acts, with some victims describing how Francis had given them alcohol before assaulting them. The allegations came to light in April 2017 when one of the victims reported the abuse, leading to a broader investigation that uncovered additional victims and evidence.

During the trial, two of the men who had been abused as children spoke openly about the profound and lasting impact of Francis’s actions on their lives. One victim expressed relief that justice had been served, stating, “This has been a very long, hard journey and it has taken its toll on myself, my family and friends. To get to this point where truth and justice have been upheld is an immense relief.” Another victim shared his struggles with the psychological scars left by the abuse, emphasizing the difficulty of living with such trauma and expressing hope that others might find the courage to speak out.

Judge David Turner QC delivered the sentence, condemning Francis for hiding a “dark paedophile inclination” behind a facade of respectability. The judge stated that Francis’s actions had inflicted profound psychological damage on his victims and had marred their lives. As part of his sentence, Francis was ordered to serve 12 years in prison, and he will be required to sign the sex offenders register for life. Additionally, he was placed under a 12-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which prohibits him from having contact with any boy under the age of 16.

Francis’s criminal conduct was uncovered after he was voluntarily interviewed in July 2017 and subsequently arrested in July 2018. He faced multiple charges, including 13 counts of indecent assault and four counts of gross indecency, all of which he was found guilty of on August 2, 2019. His trial at Chelmsford Crown Court culminated in this conviction, with sentencing scheduled for August 27. The case has highlighted the importance of vigilance and justice in addressing historical abuse, and the community continues to grapple with the lasting effects of such crimes.