June 2019 Convicted paedophile jailed for raping nine-year-old admits further offences A convicted paedophile who was jailed last year for raping a nine-year-old girl has admitted more offences after appearing in court yesterday Richard Francis (38) of Willoughby Place, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, is currently serving a 14 year prison sentence following his conviction last year for rape and indecent assault of a child on various dates during 2006. Aged 26 at the time, he first took his opportunity to sexually abuse the child during a game of hide-and-seek. The assaults later progressed to rape. During a 10-day trial at Dungannon Crown Court in May 2018, Francis maintained his innocence, in what a judge noted was deliberate planning by separating the victim from her playmates, and taking her to a shed to carry out the abuse undisturbed. Compelling evidence from the victim, who had to endure a harsh cross-examination, amid suggestions as a nine-year-old she had gone “willingly” with Francis, heard he struck up text contact with her some years afterwards, in which she challenged him on the abuse, asking, “Was I the only one you raped?” His replied: “Yes, but I thought you wanted me to.” Francis was back in the same court in relation to further similar offending, this time involving a male child, but occurring before the matters for which he is currently in jail. Originally accused of 22 child sexual offences, Francis pleaded not guilty to all the offences earlier this year and the case was listed for trial. However, he was re-arraigned and pleaded guilty to 17 counts of indecently assaulting the boy over a two year period between 1993 and 1995. A jury was sworn in in respect of the five additional charges but a prosecution lawyer advised Francis had accepted a number of alternatives to these and she would be offering no evidence as a result. Judge Neil Rafferty QC instructed the jury to return a verdict of “Not guilty by direction.” Francis, was asked to stand while addressed by the judge. He was told: “I take all into consideration including your pleas of guilt. At this stage I cannot give you any indication of how I will deal with you, except that it will be a significant custodial sentence.” A number of reports are to be prepared and sentencing will take place next month. September 2018 Paedophile who raped girl (9) during a game of hide-and-seek in his home gets 14 years A Co Fermanagh man was jailed for 14 years yesterday for the rape of a nine-year-old child during a game of hide-and-seek. Francis (37), of Willougby Place, Enniskillen, had denied two counts of rape and two counts of sexual assault on various dates during 2006. The jury heard how the abuse began during a game of hide-and-seek. Francis later re-established contact with the victim, who challenged him about his behaviour and he claimed to have thought she “wanted him to”. She told him: “You are as bad as Jimmy Savile.” Then aged 26, he first sexually abused the child in a shed when the girl played with other children while visiting a relative. Francis lived nearby and often joined in playing, despite a significant age gap, and the jury was told that during the game “he would do the counting” as the children went and hid. During one game of hide-and-seek, Francis took her into a shed, where he touched her chest under her T-shirt, and warned her to tell no one. The next occasion she found herself in the shed with Francis, and his behaviour escalated to rape. During another incident, she was playing with Francis’ younger sister in their home. To ensure they “would not be disturbed” he locked his sister in her bedroom before raping the youngster. The abuse ceased, but after several years Francis initiated text contact. Some of these exchanges, which he denied sending, were read in court. He asked why the victim never came to his area anymore. On being rebuffed, he asked why she was angry with him. The victim challenged Francis, stating: “I was nine. You raped me.” He replied, “I’m sorry… I hope to be dead soon.” The victim said, “Sorry isn’t good enough… was I the only one you raped?” Francis said: “Yes. I thought you wanted me to.” She replied: “I was nine. I wanted to be the queen then.” When Francis asked what she wanted him to do, she said: “I don’t care what you do… you should be in prison you ignorant, arrogant, rapist c***. You are as bad as Jimmy Savile.” Defence lawyers disputed the prosecution case, branding the victim an accomplished liar, but the jury rejected this, returning guilty verdicts on all counts after deliberating for around an hour. Passing sentence at Dungannon Crown Court, sitting in Belfast, Judge Neil Rafferty QC said a victim report showed that the complainant has suffered “severe psychological harm” as result of the sexual assaults. The judge noted that while the report was being compiled the victim “cried” and she had “difficulty in coming to terms with what happened to her”. Judge Rafferty said the prosecution had outlined a number of aggravating factors in the case. These included the fact that the victim was very young; she was vulnerable, and that there was a significant age difference between her and the defendant. The judge said he believed the first incident was “opportunistic”, but stated that there was also “some degree of premeditation to develop the modus operandi” regarding the other offences. As part of his sentencing exercise Judge Rafferty said he had considered whether to impose a custody probation order. But he decided “it would not be appropriate in this case as it is very difficult to identify what such an order would hope to achieve”. Judge Rafferty jailed Francis for 14 years for one count of rape and sentenced him to 14 years concurrent on the second rape charge. He also sentenced him to 30 months concurrent on each count of indecent assault. Francis was also made the subject of Sexual Offences Prevention Order for a period of 15 years, was banned from working with children and vulnerable adults and was ordered to have no contact with a child under the age of 16. The judge told him that he would be “the subject of inclusion on the sex offenders’ register until further order”. May 2018 Fermanagh man convicted of raping 9-year-old girl  An Enniskillen man has been convicted of raping a nine-year-old girl. Richard Francis was found guilty following a 10-day trial at Dungannon Crown Court. The court heard how the abuse began during a game of hide-and-seek. Later, when he re-established contact with the victim, she challenged his behaviour, which he claimed to have thought she “wanted”. Francis (37) of Willoughby Place was convicted of raping and indecently assaulting the girl on various dates during 2006. Then aged 26, he first sexually abused the child in a shed during a game of hide-and-seek. The incidents occurred when the girl played with other children while visiting a relative. Francis lived nearby and often joined in playing with them During one game, she and Francis ended up in a shed, where he molested her, and warned her to tell no one. The next occasion she found herself in the shed with Francis, his behaviour escalated to rape. On another occasion she was playing with Francis’s younger sister in their home. To ensure they “would not be disturbed”, he locked his sister in her bedroom before raping the victim. The abuse ceased but after several years, Francis initiated text contact. Some of these exchanges, which he denied sending, were read in court. He asked why the victim never came to his area anymore. On being rebuffed, he asked why she was angry with him. The victim challenged Francis stating, “I was nine. You raped me.” He replied, “I’m sorry … I hope to be dead soon.” The victim said, “Sorry isn’t good enough … Was I the only one you raped?” Francis said, “Yes. I thought you wanted me to.” She replied: “I was nine. I wanted to be the queen then.” When Francis asked what she wanted him to do, she said: “I don’t care what you do … You should be in prison you ignorant, arrogant, rapist, c***. You are as bad as Jimmy Savile.” Disputing the prosecution case, the defence branded the victim an accomplished liar, stating: “A lying witness is a dangerous witness. They convince people they are telling the truth.” But the jury rejected this entirely, returning guilty verdicts on all counts after deliberating for around an hour. His Honour Judge Neill Rafferty QC adjourned the case for the preparation of pre-sentence reports and a victim impact statement. Visibly shaking, Francis sobbed on being taken to the cells. He was ordered to sign the Sex Offender Register before being taken to prison. He will be sentenced next month.