FRANCIS “BILL” COLLIS SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX CRIMES IN DERBY AND SKEGNESS

In August 2001, Francis William (Bill) Collis, a man residing in Littleover near Derby, was convicted and sentenced to 15 years in prison for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed against children. The court proceedings revealed a disturbing pattern of abuse spanning over a decade, with Collis abusing three young victims at various locations in Derby between January 1971 and November 1985.

Judge John Wait delivered a stern judgment, condemning Collis as a selfish individual who showed complete disregard for the feelings and well-being of the children he victimized. The judge emphasized that Collis's actions were driven solely by his own sexual gratification, highlighting the severity and depravity of his crimes.

During the trial at Derby Crown Court, Collis was found guilty on multiple counts, including two charges of serious sexual assault, five counts of indecent assault, an attempted indecent assault, and one charge of causing actual bodily harm. The jury heard harrowing testimony from victims who could not be named for legal reasons, describing the abuse they endured at the hands of Collis.

One of the victims, now 38 years old, recounted that he was forced to perform sexual acts on Collis when he was only nine years old. He revealed that he lived in constant fear of retaliation, as Collis had threatened to kill him if he ever disclosed the abuse. The victim stated, “He told me that if I said anything he would kill me and that fear continued until the age of 35. I was very frightened of him and he made a phone call telling me that he would kill me if I told anyone what had happened.”

Two female victims also testified, describing their own experiences of indecent assault. One recounted how Collis began kissing her inappropriately and touched her under her clothes, actions that left her feeling violated and scared. She further explained that Collis had also indecently touched her during an encounter involving a woman.

The third victim, a teenage girl at the time, described being assaulted between 1978 and 1980. Her testimony added to the disturbing picture of Collis’s predatory behavior during that period.

Throughout the trial, Collis maintained his innocence, denying all charges. His defense argued that he was suffering from health issues, including depression, which required medication that allegedly caused memory loss. His legal team also pointed out that Collis had suffered a heart attack two years prior to the trial.

Despite his denial, Collis was convicted on the majority of charges, though he was found not guilty on two counts of indecent assault. Following his conviction, Collis was sentenced to serve a lengthy prison term. Additionally, he was ordered to be placed on the sex offenders register for life in 2001.

In July 2011, Collis was released after serving ten years of his sentence. However, he remains under strict conditions, including being on license until 2016. He is also prohibited from entering most parts of Derbyshire and the town of Skegness, reflecting ongoing restrictions aimed at protecting the community from potential harm.