NICHOLAS FRANCIS FROM STOKE ST GREGORY JAILED FOR CHILD RAPE IN TAUNTON

In December 2017, Nicholas Francis, a man residing in the village of Stoke St Gregory near Taunton, was sentenced to a lengthy prison term after being convicted of multiple serious child sex offences. The case, which garnered significant attention in the local community, involved allegations of sustained sexual abuse against a young girl over a period of four years.

Francis, aged 45 at the time of sentencing, was found guilty by a jury of 14 counts that included various forms of child sexual offences, notably several counts of rape. The prosecution, led by Christopher Smyth, detailed how Francis had groomed the young girl for his own sexual gratification. The abuse reportedly began when the girl was under the age of 13 and continued on a weekly basis, with Francis in his early thirties during the period of offending.

During the sentencing hearing at Taunton Crown Court, Judge David Evans addressed the court and emphasized the devastating impact of Francis’s actions. He highlighted that the victim had been initially captivated by Francis’s status as a showjumper, which contributed to her infatuation and naivety. The judge remarked, “As with many of these sorts of crimes, the true effects are only felt later. She confided in you and you took advantage of her infatuation and naivety.”

Judge Evans further condemned Francis for his manipulative behavior, stating, “You told her that you loved her and that you would run away with her but you were just using her for sex.” The court heard that after Francis’s illicit activities were exposed through text messages, he responded by destroying his phone, making threats, and even persuading his father to accompany him to the girl’s house. The aim was reportedly to leverage his family’s standing within the community to influence the situation.

Throughout the trial, Francis maintained his innocence, claiming he barely knew the girl. However, the court was presented with a victim’s statement that described the long-term psychological damage inflicted by the abuse, including self-harm, depression, and a profound difficulty in trusting others.

In total, Nicholas Francis was sentenced to 15 years in prison. The sentence covered multiple charges, including three counts of indecent assault, two counts of sexual intercourse with a child under 13, seven counts of raping a child under 13, and two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child. The case serves as a stark reminder of the severe consequences of child sexual abuse and the importance of safeguarding vulnerable individuals in communities like Stoke St Gregory and beyond.