William Bissett

William Bissett, an 84-year-old former leader in the Boys Brigade at Church Street Methodist Church in St Anne's, Lancashire, was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison after being found guilty of 17 counts of indecent assault on boys under the age of 14. The offences spanned an 11-year period, during which Bissett cynically abused his position of authority to prey upon five young victims, grooming some by creating opportunities to isolate them in a side room of the church under the guise of 'smartening them up'. Other assaults occurred during weekend trips with the group.

At Preston Crown Court, powerful victim impact statements revealed the profound and lifelong effects of Bissett's actions, with complainants describing enduring psychological trauma. Judge Robert Altham highlighted Bissett's lack of remorse and praised the contrasting courage of the five victims who came forward. The court heard detailed accounts of how Bissett exploited his role to perpetrate the sexual abuse, targeting vulnerable boys in a trusted environment.

The investigation by Lancashire Constabulary uncovered the extent of the historical abuses, leading to Bissett's trial and conviction. In addition to the custodial sentence, Bissett was ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life, ensuring ongoing monitoring. This case underscores the long-reaching consequences of child sexual exploitation within community organisations and the importance of accountability, even decades later.