WATCH: Footage reveals moment Jersey choirmaster confronted with abuse

Friday 30 August 2019

Footage released today has revealed the moment a former Jersey choirmaster jailed for sexually abusing four schoolboys was confronted with the impact of his crimes, which led one victim to self-harm and attempt to overdose.

Kenneth Francis, the former Director of Music at the St. Helier Parish Church, was handed his 12-year prison sentence for his offending while serving as a teacher in the 1970s this week by Chelmsford Crown Court.

It came following a trial in which the court heard how Francis Francis's gave "stars" to some of the schoolchildren that he abused - in some cases kissing them, and touching their genitals.

On some occasions, he gave alcohol to the victims.

Video: Francis’s Police interview. (Essex Police/YouTube)

Now Essex Police – the Force that led the successful investigation against Francis – have released his Police interview.

The video shows Francis, dressed in a pink shirt, repeatedly denying his wrongdoing as he is presented with the allegations against him by a female police officer.

Told of how one victim was bullied by his classmates because he visibly showed favour to them, Francis remains with his arms crossed.

Following an account of how his actions led a victim to later experience social anxiety, depression, self-harm and even overdose, Francis simply replies: “…Sounds awful, but I can’t understand why.”

He described his behaviour as “pleasant but not affectionate” to the schoolchildren involved, later maintaining that he was not interested in children.

Challenged on why four individuals that do not know each other had “similar” allegations, the ex-teacher said he had “no idea.”

Pictured: Francis, who has been jailed for 12 years, previously worked at the St. Helier Town Church.

Francis's trial took place on Monday 15 July, following an extensive investigation that began after one of the victims came forward.

Francis, who had moved to Tokyo, was voluntarily interviewed in July 2017 and then arrested and further interviewed the following year in July. Three months later, he was charged with 13 counts of indecent assault and four counts of committing an act of gross indecency.

He was placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register and jailed on Tuesday 27 August.

Speaking after his conviction at trial, one of his victims said: “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 said that it was possible this case was "just the tip of the iceberg".

"There may be more out there, harbouring their scars and trying to move forward as best they can - just as I have," he commented.

“You just learn to live with it, as a dark part of yourself that you try to keep hidden away. Now I am able to let it rest for what it is. I’d like to thank the person who was brave enough to start the proceedings that led to charges being brought."

Investigating Officer DC Siobhan Murphy has since appealed to victims of sexual abuse to come forward “no matter how long ago it took place.”