Choirmaster sentenced to three years in prison for non-recent child sex offences

A man who sexually abused a boy, and then played on his faith by making him swear to God that he wouldn’t tell anyone, has been sentenced to three years in prison.

Sean McNally, 71 (DOB 30/12/1952), of Todmorden, Calderdale, pleaded guilty to five sexual offences against the same victim, which occurred between 1973 and 1976 when he was the organ teacher and choir master at St Peter’s Church in Hersham.

McNally pleaded guilty to two counts of indecency with a child and three counts of indecent assault on a male person at an earlier hearing in July 2024. Two of the charges involved more than 40 occasions of touching and indecent assault against the victim, who was aged 10-13 years old and was McNally’s pupil at the time.

During the three period, the victim was subjected to frequent sexual abuse by McNally, who also groomed him into believing he was special, that he was being taken on special trips, educated about “secret societies”, and given tutorship on the organ. McNally would then play on the victim’s faith, making him swear to God that he would never tell anyone about the abuse.

McNally was sentenced when he appeared at Kingston Crown Court yesterday (30 September).

Investigating Officer Emily Nurcombe from the North Surrey Child Abuse Department, said: “Firstly, I must pay tribute to the victim, who found the courage and confidence to come forward and report the abuse he had suffered during his childhood as an adult after years of therapy. I hope the fact that McNally is now behind bars will help him start to come to terms with the abuse he suffered and enable him to begin rebuilding his life.

“McNally used his position of trust as the organ master at the church to groom his victim, making him feel like he was special, in order to abuse him on multiple occasions. He would then use the victim’s faith to ensure he didn’t tell anyone he was being abused.

“We will always investigate allegations of non-recent sexual abuse, no matter how long ago the abuse occurred. We would urge anyone who believes they have been a victim of sexual abuse to come forward and report it – you will be listened to, you will be believed and you will be supported.”       

For further help and advice, please click here https://www.surrey.police.uk/ro/report/rsa/alpha-v1/advice/rape-sexual-assault-and-other-sexual-offences/