St Annes' Boys Brigade leader who indecently assaulted children is sentenced

William Bissett, 84, of Rossendale Road, St Annes, was convicted by jurors of 17 counts of indecently assaulting boys in the 80s and 90s.

Judge Robert Altham, sentencing at Preston Crown Court, said: "You cynically used your position of trust in relation to those boys in order to carry out your abuse.

"You groomed some of them by setting up circumstances in which you could be alone with them, and you hid your abuse behind your position within the community."

Bissett was also found guilty of three counts of gross indecency and six of indecent assault against a fifth boy.

His crimes date back to a time he was involved in church activities at the Church Road Methodist Church, in St Annes, and was leader of the Boys’ Brigade.

One person had made a complaint in 2005 but the investigation did not proceed - however the same person was contacted by police in 2019 after another boy made a similar statement.

Another complainant came forward after seeing a news article about the initial charges against Bissett.

The victims cannot be identified for legal reasons.

Bisset's relatives sat in the public gallery to watch the proceedings.

Also present were three of his five victims, who returned to watch justice done, and their harrowing impact statements were read to the court room.

One man even chose to read his statement in person, thanking the police and the CPS for their professionalism and sensitivity, and his gratitude to the jury.

He said: " As a young boy I joined the Boy's Brigade with innocence and a sense of excitement "

He said Bissett took "full advantage of his vulnerability" and the abuse which took place has had a significant impact, affecting his emotions, confidence and relationships.

He added he had suffered guilt at not coming forward sooner, but added: "As a young boy I was somehow made to feel to blame for what he did to me and I've carried that blame for a long time."

He said it had taken a long time to realise the "guilt was not his to own."

Prosecuting, Richard Haworth read an impact statement from another victim.

The man said it had left him with a poor view on authority and all life.

He added: " I've moved on from this but it took until age 40 ish to come to terms with this."

Another victim said it was "something I tried hardest to forget about" and that it was "buried deep in his brain".

He added: " We were in his care and he abused our trust. He had no care for our mental wellbeing when he did what he did.

"The fact he still denies it happens and makes out we are liars adds insult to injury."