And now a children’s charity has stressed the importance of media coverage in encouraging victims to tell their stories.
Disgraced former St Helier Boys and d’Hautrée teacher Christopher Roy Bacon was first jailed for 5½ years in 2017 for abusing six boys in the 1970s and 80s who were pupils at the now-closed secondary schools and possessing thousands of indecent images of children on his personal computer.
After he was found guilty, the JEP ran a special report in which former pupils and those who knew Bacon said he was likely to have had more victims.
Now a senior States police detective has confirmed that ‘three or four’ of the 76-year-old’s latest victims came to the police after they saw media coverage about Bacon’s original trial and sentencing.
The pensioner, who worked as a taxi driver in later life, is due to be sentenced for a further five offences of indecent assault against four boys in October.
Detective Chief Inspector Chris Beechey said: ‘Certainly three or four of those victims came forward after seeing coverage of the previous sentencing in local media reports.’
And children’s charity the NSPCC said the media could play a vital role in giving victims the confidence to come forward and report abuse that has happened to them.
A spokeswoman said: ‘The reporting of child sexual abuse cases in the media can encourage victims to have the confidence to speak for the first time about what has happened to them.
‘It’s important we encourage and support victims to speak out and that when they do they are listened to regardless of the time that may have passed since the abuse took place.
‘If victims do come forward, providing them with the necessary care is crucial to helping them move forward with their lives.’
Bacon was first arrested in 1985 on suspicion of sexually assaulting a student – however, that case was dealt with at a parish hall inquiry. He was suspended from the school but rumours about him remained rife.
Jersey’s then Dean was made aware of allegations against the teacher. Bandmates who played alongside the talented musician were told of concerns and old taxi-driver colleagues had also heard rumours.
In 2015 he was eventually re-arrested when a victim came forward. Detectives then tracked down more potential victims as part of their wider investigation – codenamed Operation Whistle – of historical child abuse.
To date Bacon is guilty of abusing ten boys.
