Choirmaster who sexually abused boy in Surrey in 1970s jailed
He played on the victim’s faith, making him swear to God that he would never tell anyone about the abuse
Last updated 2nd Oct 2024
A former choirmaster has been jailed for historic child sex offences in Surrey.
5\8 year old Sean McNally of Todmorden, Calderdale, in West Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to five sexual offences against the same victim, which happened between 1973 and 1976 when he was the organ teacher and choir master at St Peter’s Church in Hersham.
McNally pleaded guilty to two counts of indecency with a child and three counts of indecent assault on a male person at an earlier hearing in July 2024.
Two of the charges involved more than 40 occasions of touching and indecent assault against the victim, who was aged 10-13 years old and was McNally’s pupil at the time.
During the three period, the victim was subjected to frequent sexual abuse by McNally, who also groomed him into believing he was special, that he was being taken on special trips, educated about “secret societies”, and given tutorship on the organ.
McNally would then play on the victim’s faith, making him swear to God that he would never tell anyone about the abuse.
Investigating Officer Emily Nurcombe from the North Surrey Child Abuse Department, said: “Firstly, I must pay tribute to the victim, who found the courage and confidence to come forward and report the abuse he had suffered during his childhood as an adult after years of therapy. I hope the fact that McNally is now behind bars will help him start to come to terms with the abuse he suffered and enable him to begin rebuilding his life.
“McNally used his position of trust as the organ master at the church to groom his victim, making him feel like he was special, in order to abuse him on multiple occasions. He would then use the victim’s faith to ensure he didn’t tell anyone he was being abused.
“We will always investigate allegations of non-recent sexual abuse, no matter how long ago the abuse occurred. We would urge anyone who believes they have been a victim of sexual abuse to come forward and report it – you will be listened to, you will be believed and you will be supported.”
An NSPCC spokesperson said: “McNally used his position within the church to groom and repeatedly sexually abuse a child. That he has finally been brought to justice is thanks to the courage of the victim in speaking out about what happened to him around 50 years ago.
“We hope this case will give confidence to others who have suffered non-recent sexual abuse that, no matter who the offender is and how many years have passed, if they speak out they will be listened to.”
Anyone who is concerned about a child can contact the NSPCC Helpline on 0808 800 5000 or help@nspcc.org.uk, while young people can speak to a trained counsellor at Childline on 0800 1111 or at childline.org.uk