A FORMER choirmaster in Cheshire has been jailed for 12 years after being convicted of sexually abusing 14 boys.

Richard Owen from Winsford, also known as Franklyn Stanowski, admitted to 27 offences involving indecent assault of underage boys and was sentenced in Chester Crown Court.

The offences occurred between 1968 and 1998 and the police investigation began after a 'past cases review' into allegations of sexual abuse, which was commissioned by the Church of England.

Detective Inspector Dave Hutcheon of Cheshire Constabulary’s major investigation teams praised the courage of Owen's victims to come forward.

He said: "Owen preyed on young and innocent children betraying their trust for his own sexual gratification while also becoming infatuated and obsessed with them.

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"The decades of abuse and his behaviour deeply affected so many boys in many ways and continued into their adulthood.

"The investigation has been long and, at times, difficult in order to identify and speak to those who suffered Owen’s abuse.

"Investigations like these carry an important message, if you have been a victim of abuse it doesn’t matter how long ago it took place, what matters is the courage to come forward and talk about it.

"These men have shown that courage to speak about their ordeal more than 50 years later to ensure Owen is held accountable for what he did.

"If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse please contact Cheshire Constabulary on 101 or visit our website. "Information can also be given anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111."