RICHARD FRANCIS FROM ENNISKILLEN SENTENCED FOR MULTIPLE CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN FERMANAGH

In a series of disturbing criminal proceedings, Richard Francis, a man residing in Willoughby Place, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, has been at the center of multiple serious allegations involving the sexual abuse of children. His case has garnered significant attention due to the gravity of the offences and the detailed court proceedings that have unfolded over several years.

In June 2019, Francis, aged 38 at the time, was convicted and subsequently sentenced to a 14-year prison term for the heinous crimes committed against a nine-year-old girl. The abuse reportedly took place during a game of hide-and-seek, a seemingly innocent activity that was exploited by Francis to carry out his criminal acts. The initial abuse began when Francis was 26 years old, and the victim was just a child. The court heard that during the game, Francis took the opportunity to sexually assault the girl, an act that later escalated to rape.

The case was tried at Dungannon Crown Court in May 2018, where the jury was presented with compelling evidence, including testimony from the young victim. The court was told that Francis had deliberately planned his actions, separating the girl from her playmates and taking her to a shed to commit the abuse without interruption. The victim, who endured a rigorous cross-examination, recounted how Francis had initially convinced her to go with him, suggesting she had gone 'willingly.'

Further evidence revealed that Francis maintained contact with the girl through text messages years after the initial abuse. In these exchanges, she confronted him about the incidents, asking, “Was I the only one you raped?” to which he responded, “Yes, but I thought you wanted me to.” This exchange highlighted the manipulative and predatory nature of his actions.

In addition to the case involving the nine-year-old girl, Francis faced allegations of similar offences involving a male child, which predated the charges for which he was currently serving time. Initially accused of 22 child sexual offences, Francis pleaded not guilty to all charges earlier in the year. However, during proceedings, he retracted some of his defenses and pleaded guilty to 17 counts of indecent assault against the male victim, covering a period from 1993 to 1995. The court was informed that a jury was sworn in to consider five additional charges, but the prosecution decided not to proceed with evidence on those counts, leading the judge to direct a verdict of 'Not guilty by direction.'

Judge Neil Rafferty QC, presiding over the case, acknowledged the seriousness of the offences and the psychological harm inflicted on the victims. He noted that the victim of the earlier offences had shown signs of severe emotional distress, crying during the preparation of her victim impact statement and struggling to come to terms with her experiences. The judge emphasized the aggravating factors, including the victims’ vulnerability, the significant age gap, and the opportunistic nature of the initial incident.

In sentencing, Judge Rafferty ordered that Francis serve 14 years for one count of rape, with the same length of time to be served concurrently for the second rape charge. Additionally, he received a 30-month sentence for each of the indecent assault counts, to run concurrently. The court also imposed a Sexual Offences Prevention Order for 15 years, prohibiting Francis from working with children or vulnerable adults and from having contact with any child under 16. Furthermore, he was ordered to register as a sex offender until further notice, reflecting the court’s recognition of the ongoing risk he poses to the community.

Earlier, in September 2018, Francis was convicted of raping the nine-year-old girl during the same period. The court heard how the abuse began during a game of hide-and-seek and later involved repeated assaults, including incidents where he locked his younger sister in her bedroom to isolate the victim. The victim’s testimony was emotionally charged, with her directly confronting Francis and describing her feelings of betrayal and anger. She compared his actions to those of Jimmy Savile, a notorious figure associated with child abuse, underscoring the severity of her trauma.

Despite the defense’s attempt to discredit the victim, claiming she was dishonest, the jury found Francis guilty on all counts after deliberating for approximately an hour. Judge Rafferty highlighted the victim’s psychological suffering, noting that she had cried and struggled to process her experiences during court proceedings. The judge sentenced Francis to 14 years for the rape of the nine-year-old girl, with additional concurrent sentences for other offences. He also ordered him to sign the sex offenders’ register and emphasized that he would remain on it until further notice, reflecting the ongoing concern for public safety.

Throughout the legal process, Francis was visibly distressed, sobbing as he was taken into custody. His case remains a stark reminder of the devastating impact of child sexual abuse and the importance of rigorous judicial action to protect vulnerable members of society.