SCOTT FARRELL OF WOULDHAM JAILED FOR SEXUAL OFFENCES AT ROCHESTER AND ELY CATHEDRAL

In August 2019, Scott Farrell, a former music director at Rochester Cathedral, was sentenced to five years in prison after being convicted of multiple serious sexual offences involving minors. Farrell, aged 48 and residing on High Street in Wouldham, used his professional position within the church to establish trust with young boys and their families before subjecting them to abusive acts.

Farrell’s misconduct included inviting three boys, aged between 13 and 15, back to his flat where he showed them pornography and encouraged them to masturbate. During these encounters, Farrell would also masturbate himself, creating an environment of exploitation and manipulation. The court heard that Farrell had previously admitted to three counts of gross indecency with a boy under 16, two counts of voyeurism, and one count of taking indecent images of a child.

His suspension from his prominent role at Rochester Cathedral came in March of the previous year, following his arrest. He resigned from his position eight months later. The court proceedings revealed the disturbing extent of his actions, including the fact that one of his victims now requires ongoing counseling due to the trauma inflicted.

Farrell’s career in church music began in January 1999 when he was appointed assistant director of music at Ely Cathedral. He later became the music director at Rochester Cathedral. Colleagues described him as having a lively personality and being a valued member of the music department. However, these professional accolades were overshadowed by the allegations and subsequent conviction.

The investigation was triggered in November 2018 after one of Farrell’s victims, inspired by the Harvey Weinstein scandal, reported his abuse to the police. It was revealed that Farrell had met the boys through his work at Ely Cathedral, where he would take them out for meals, such as burgers, and to the cinema, gradually building a relationship of trust and friendship, as described by prosecuting lawyer Charles Falk. Farrell also took the boys on educational music trips and allowed them to turn pages while playing the organ, further cementing his influence over them.

The court detailed how Farrell initiated conversations about masturbation, asking the victims, “So you guys masturbate right? What’s the best way to do it?” He would then play DVDs with explicit sex scenes, during which he would pleasure himself in view of the boys, although there was no evidence of direct sexual contact. One boy recounted how another boy appeared uncomfortable during these incidents, but Farrell reassured him that everything was okay, leading the boy to believe it was acceptable. Another victim remembered Farrell making a comment to one of the boys, saying, “come on don’t be shy,” because his trousers weren’t pulled down very far.

Police raided Farrell’s Wouldham home and seized his mobile phone, which contained further disturbing evidence. Investigators discovered videos and images of another boy showering in his bathroom. It was also revealed that Farrell had befriended the boy’s parents, who invited him into their home multiple times after they had moved there. Farrell even bought the boy expensive gifts, including books valued at up to £400. When police showed the images to the boy’s mother, she expressed her shock, disgust, and feelings of violation, stating that she and her husband had trusted Farrell as a family friend and had allowed him access to their home and children.

Further distressing evidence included a statement from one of Farrell’s victims, describing how the abuse has severely impacted his mental health. The victim reported difficulty trusting others, constant anxiety, and nightmares involving Farrell. He also expressed feelings of anger, worthlessness, and hopelessness, with some describing life as now feeling pointless. The police also uncovered images of two adult women undressing, which Farrell had secretly recorded on separate occasions while they were in his home, revealing a pattern of invasive and predatory behavior.

Judge Stuart Bridge, presiding over the case, emphasized Farrell’s good character and contributions to the community but condemned his abuse of trust and position. He stated, “While you were there, you abused that position by inviting young boys aged between 13 and 15 to your flat where abuse took place. It is absolutely clear to me that there must be an immediate sentence of imprisonment.” Farrell was consequently sentenced to five years in prison, placed under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 15 years, and will be on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life. Additionally, a restraining order was issued to protect one of the victims from further contact.

Earlier in May 2019, Farrell had admitted to child sex offences at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court. The investigation, conducted by Cambridgeshire Constabulary’s Child Abuse Investigation and Safeguarding Unit, uncovered that Farrell had befriended children during his tenure at Ely Cathedral from 1999 to 2001, inviting them to his flat and showing them pornographic material. At the time of his arrest, Farrell was working at Rochester Cathedral, where further evidence was found, including voyeuristic images and indecent photographs of children, some taken with hidden cameras in bathrooms and bedrooms. The police seized electronic devices that contained 135 indecent images of children, all taken by Farrell himself. The case highlights the disturbing pattern of grooming and exploitation by Farrell, who exploited his professional and personal relationships to commit these heinous acts.