GEORGEY BOXALL SHOCKS LISKEARD WITH CHILD SEX OFFENCES AND JAIL SENTENCE

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Liskeard, Cornwall, Geoffrey Boxall, a 71-year-old man with deep roots in the town, has been sentenced to three years in prison for historic child sexual abuse. The offences date back to the 1970s and 1990s, involving a young boy and a teenage girl, respectively, and have left a lasting impact on the victims and the community alike.

Judge Christopher Harvey Clark, QC, presided over the case at Truro Crown Court and delivered the sentence after hearing the details of the crimes. The judge highlighted Boxall’s involvement as a lay reader and a member of the congregation at St Martin's Church in Liskeard, as well as his participation in local musical groups such as the Callington Singers and the St Ive Choral Society. Despite his active involvement in these community groups, the court was told of his past misconduct, which had remained undisclosed until now.

Boxall admitted to acts of gross indecency committed during the same period as the abuse, which the court acknowledged as part of the sentencing process. The judge described the case as “a desperately sad situation,” emphasizing the profound and serious effects that the abuse had inflicted upon the victims. The court also heard that in 1976, Boxall had previously been placed on probation for indecently assaulting a girl, revealing a troubling pattern of behavior.

Prosecutor Edward Bailey provided details of the case, noting that Boxall’s criminal history included a probation sentence from 1976 for the assault on a girl. Defense lawyer Barrie van den Berg argued that Boxall’s decision to plead guilty had spared his victims the trauma of reliving their experiences in court. He also pointed out that the offences had not involved coercion or threats, suggesting a lack of violence or intimidation in the crimes.

In addition to the prison sentence, the judge imposed an indefinite sexual offences prevention order on Boxall. Furthermore, he was ordered to register as a sex offender for the remainder of his life, a measure designed to protect the community from any future risk.

Community reactions included statements from individuals such as Duncan Jackaman, chairman of the Callington Singers, who expressed shock upon learning of Boxall’s past. Jackaman revealed that Boxall had been a member of the choir for over five years and that no one was aware of his previous probation. He stated, “He toured with us, and no one had any idea about his behaviour.”

The Mayor of Liskeard, Nick Mallard, also commented on the case, expressing his disbelief and concern. “It comes as a shock to me and I’m sure it will be to many in the town, particularly those involved with him through the church or his other activities. It’s a total, total shock,” he said. Mallard emphasized the importance of reporting suspicions of abuse to authorities to prevent further harm.

However, the Diocese of Truro issued a statement clarifying Boxall’s official standing within the church. A spokesman stated, “Geoffrey Boxall is definitely not a reader in the Church of England, nor has he ever been a lay minister or held any other C of E preaching or Parochial Church Council posts. He is not – and never has been – an official member of the congregation at St Martin’s Church, Liskeard.” The church representative added that Boxall had attended some evening services recently with the full knowledge of the parish priest but had no role in leading worship or working with children. Reverend Canon Tony Ingleby confirmed that Boxall’s involvement was limited to attending services and that he had no access to children during his visits.