Former Boys Brigade leader William Bissett ‘cynically abused’ his position of trust at the Church Street Methodist Church group in St Anne’s to ‘prey upon’ five young boys over an 11-year period
The 84-year-old ‘groomed’ some of the boys by setting up circumstances to take them into the side room of the church and under the pretence of ‘smartening them up’.
He also indecently assaulted other boys during weekend trips with the Boys Brigade.
William Bissett, of Rossendale Road, St Anne’s, was found guilty after a trial at Preston Crown Court of 17 counts of indecent assault on boys under the age of 14.
Preston Crown Court heard how there was a ‘significant degree of planning’ in William Bissett’s offending and a ‘significant abuse of trust’.
Powerful victim impact statements read out at court told how the defendant’s actions had left a ‘profound effect upon them, often for the rest of their lives’.
Judge Robert Altham said William Bissett had ‘not shown a shred of remorse’ and praised the ‘contrasting courage of the five complainants’.
William Bissett was jailed for a total six-and-a-half years and ordered to sign the sex offenders register for life.
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