ANTHONY FRANCIS LOWESTOFT SHOPKEEPER SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN NORWICH ROAD AND MAIDSTONE ROAD

In August 2012, a disturbing case emerged involving Anthony Francis, a former shopkeeper from Lowestoft, who has a troubling history of sexual offenses against minors. Francis, who previously owned two retail outlets in Lowestoft, was convicted of multiple serious sexual crimes and is now facing further legal proceedings after admitting to additional offenses.

Anthony Francis, aged 53 and residing on Yarmouth Road in Thorpe St Andrew, was initially sentenced to a prison term of three and a half years last year following his conviction at Ipswich Crown Court. The court found him guilty of eight counts of indecent assault and two counts of engaging in sexual activity with a child. Despite denying all charges initially, a jury ultimately convicted him based on the evidence presented.

His criminal activities spanned over a decade, with the offenses occurring between 1990 and 1995, and involved teenage boys aged between 13 and 15. Francis’s shops, located on Maidstone Road and later on Norwich Road in Lowestoft, served as the venues where he committed these heinous acts. The court heard that he exploited his position of trust to lure young boys into his private spaces, including his shop premises and basement offices, where the assaults took place.

In a recent development, Francis was scheduled to stand trial again at Ipswich Crown Court next month, this time for allegations involving another young male victim. However, this trial has been rendered unnecessary as Francis has entered guilty pleas to five counts of indecent assault on a male, one count of indecency with a child, and two additional serious sexual offenses. These new charges relate to incidents that occurred between 1990 and 1993, involving a victim aged between 13 and 15 years old.

He is expected to be released from prison on September 6, but will face sentencing for these latest offenses the day before. The court proceedings revealed that Francis had used money as a means to silence his victims, offering payments in exchange for their silence after the assaults. Judge David Goodin, who presided over his initial trial, ordered Francis to register as a sex offender indefinitely, emphasizing the severity of his crimes.

Following the trial, the mother of one of the victims, who cannot be publicly identified due to legal restrictions, described the ordeal as a “horrendous two years” for her family and the other young men involved. She praised her son’s bravery in coming forward, which encouraged other victims to disclose their experiences. She expressed gratitude for the police’s understanding and support during the investigation, highlighting the courage it took for her son to speak out against the abuse.

Overall, the case underscores the long-lasting impact of such crimes and the importance of justice for victims. Anthony Francis’s actions have left a deep scar on the lives of those he harmed, and the legal process continues to seek accountability for his past and present offenses.