Choirmaster who sexually abused 14 boys at churches in Greater Manchester and Cheshire is finally jailed

A former choirmaster who 50 years ago sexually abused 14 boys at churches across the North West has finally been jailed. Richard Owen, also known as Franklyn Stanowski, met the children after they joined the choir at churches in Winsford, Knutsford and Altrincham.

In private rooms, and out of sight of adults, he told them to remove their trousers to be struck on the buttocks for his own sexual gratification, Cheshire Constabulary has said. The offences happened between 1968 and 1998 when the boys were aged under 16.

The 70-year-old, from Winsford, admitted to 27 offences involving indecent assault of underage boys and was today jailed for 12 years at Chester Crown Court. Owen would offer to take the boys to church in his car and provide some of them with extra tuition, as well as take them on trips away.

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They would be subjected to the abuse as acts of discipline with Owen telling them they had been naughty, according to the force. Afterwards he would give them money, hand over sweets, alcohol or take them out for meals.

On occasions he would be seen standing outside their homes, watching and waiting for them. The boys are now aged between 38 and 63.

The abuse first began at a church in Winsford, involving a boy, until Owen left and began working at a Knutsford church until 1980. During this time a young boy was the victim of Owen's attention, as well as a further three boys.

In the late 1980s, Owen was a choirmaster at St John’s in Altrincham and remained there until 1998. As part of his work, he also volunteered at a local primary school teaching the children to sing as well as attending school trips to recruit boys to join the