BARRY FURLONG FROM BOURNEMOUTH JAILED FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES AGAINST YOUNG GIRLS

In a case that has shocked the local community of Bournemouth, Barry Furlong, a man once regarded as a respected member of the Jehovah’s Witness congregation, has been sentenced to over five years in prison for serious sexual offences committed against young girls. The crimes, which spanned across the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, were committed during his time as a ministerial servant within the Kinson congregation of the faith.

Furlong, now aged 69, was found guilty of four counts of indecency with a child and four counts of indecent assault. The Bournemouth Crown Court heard that he had inappropriately touched four young girls, one of whom was only nine years old, over their clothing in most of the incidents. On one particular occasion, Furlong went further, placing his hand inside the victim’s underwear, an act that significantly compounded the severity of his misconduct.

The court was told that Furlong, a former fireman and Post Office worker, had denied all charges throughout the trial. Despite his protests of innocence, the jury, composed of six men and six women, deliberated for nearly nine hours before reaching their verdicts. Three of the counts were decided by a narrow majority of 10-2, reflecting the complexity and seriousness of the case.

Judge Stephen Climie sentenced Furlong to a term of five years and three months in prison. In his remarks, the judge emphasized the gravity of the offences, describing them as an “extreme abuse of trust.” He pointed out that Furlong was highly regarded within his local congregation, which made his betrayal of that trust all the more damaging.

Addressing the impact on the victims, the judge noted that each girl had suffered “a significant impact” from Furlong’s actions. He also highlighted that the victims’ naivety had been exploited, a vulnerability that was, in his view, partly fostered by the religious community’s teachings, which he acknowledged as “perfectly proper” in their context.

Furlong’s background as a respected community member was contrasted with his criminal conduct, which has left lasting scars on the victims. The court also heard that Furlong was acquitted of four counts of rape and two counts of indecency with a child, charges which he denied.

In addition to his prison sentence, Furlong was subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which prohibits him from having unsupervised contact with minors indefinitely. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities to protect the community.

Furlong’s case has left a profound mark on Bournemouth, raising questions about trust and safeguarding within religious communities. His actions, now punishable by law, serve as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and accountability in protecting vulnerable individuals from exploitation and abuse.