EMLYN FRANCIS FROM LEEK SENTENCED FOR SEX OFFENCES IN STOKE-ON-TRENT AND HANLEY

In April 2022, Emlyn Francis, a man with a long and troubling history of sexual offenses, was once again brought before the courts in Stoke-on-Trent for breaching a court order designed to prevent him from reoffending. The 65-year-old, who resides in Leek, was found guilty of violating a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) that had been imposed on him in 2013, following his previous convictions for heinous crimes involving young girls.

Francis’s criminal record is extensive and deeply disturbing. He was dishonorably discharged from the Army in 1990 after sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl. His criminal activities continued into the 2000s, with convictions in 2001 for three counts of indecent assault on a female under 16 and gross indecency with a child. Despite these serious convictions, Francis’s pattern of offending persisted, leading to further scrutiny and restrictions on his behavior.

On January 19, police officers conducted an unannounced visit to Francis’s residence on John Street in Leek. The purpose of the visit was to enforce his registration as a sex offender and to seize digital devices for examination. During the search, Francis handed over three devices, claiming he had no others. However, a mobile phone began buzzing on the settee where he was seated, prompting suspicion. When questioned, Francis admitted that he had possessed the phone for approximately 18 months. The phone was subsequently examined by authorities, revealing that he had deleted parts of his internet history, had been active on three social media dating sites, and had a photograph of a mother with a young child.

Further investigation uncovered that Francis had been using a mobile device not registered with the authorities, which he attempted to conceal by seeking to hide it in his waistband. The police found this device during the search, and its examination confirmed that Francis had been accessing online platforms in violation of his court orders. The evidence also showed that he had deliberately erased parts of his internet activity, which raised concerns about his attempts to hide his online behavior.

As a result of these violations, Francis was sentenced to 16 months in prison at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court. Prosecutor Ben Lawrence emphasized that Francis is a convicted sex offender, and his breach of the court’s restrictions was a serious matter. The court heard that the police’s unannounced visit was part of routine monitoring, and Francis’s actions—particularly his attempt to conceal an additional phone—demonstrated a clear intent to evade detection.

Judge David Fletcher addressed Francis directly, highlighting the gravity of his past offenses and the ongoing restrictions placed upon him. He reminded Francis that he was convicted in 2013 of very serious sexual crimes, which resulted in a lifelong SHPO. Although Francis was released from prison in March 2018, the order remains in effect until March 2023, and the court’s current findings confirmed that he had breached this order multiple times. The judge ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the mobile phone as part of the sentence.

In a separate case dating back to July 2013, Francis was convicted of raping a young girl and attempting to hide her in a flat in Hanley. The court heard that the victim, who was under 13, was subjected to a three-year campaign of sexual abuse by Francis, a former soldier and registered sex offender. Police discovered the girl at his home during a routine check, which led to the investigation. The victim disclosed her abuse to a family member, prompting police to seize Francis’s mobile phone, where they found photographs of the assaults.

During the 2013 trial, Francis pleaded guilty to two counts of raping a child and seven counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. The court was told that his crimes were facilitated by his position of authority and involved grooming the young girl, using coercion and manipulation. His actions caused significant trauma to the victim, and the court acknowledged the long-lasting impact of his offenses.

Judge Fletcher sentenced Francis to a total of ten years in prison for the 2013 offenses—10 years for the rape charges and an additional eight years for the other counts, to run concurrently. The judge condemned Francis’s use of power and coercion, emphasizing the severity of his crimes and their devastating effects on the victim. The court also noted that Francis’s behavior demonstrated a pattern of predatory conduct, which warranted a lengthy custodial sentence to protect the public and serve justice.