March man jailed after admitting sexually abusing girl

A former March man who sexually abused a girl over a seven year period, beginning when she was just six, has been jailed for eight years.

Detectives say the extent of the abuse committed by John Francis only came to light after his victim came forward following a visit to her GP.

Francis, 76, formerly of Norwood Road and now of Prestatyn, Wales, was sentenced at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday, having previously pleaded guilty to three counts of sexual assault and two counts of exposure.

Detectives say Francis abused the girl on numerous occasions between 2008 and 2015, and told her not to tell anyone about it because he would go to prison and people around her would be hurt.

He subsequently confessed in an interview, telling officers he had committed "sexual sins."

Det Con Clemie Yaxley, of Cambridgeshire Police, said after the hearing: “This offence has had a huge impact on the victim throughout her life.

“She was very brave in coming forwards and has shown great courage and dignity throughout the whole process.

“I hope she is now able to find some closure from this traumatic period of her life.

“Regardless of when it happened, we will always take reports of child sex abuse very seriously.”

Francis was also made the subject of a 10 year sexual harm prevention order and will remain on the Sex Offenders' Register for life.