A former organist at Ely Cathedral has been convicted of sexual offences against a young boy following a Cambridgeshire police investigation.
Scott Farrell, 48, of High Street, Wouldham, Kent, appeared at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (May 28) where he admitted committing sexual offences against children.
Scott pleaded guilty to three counts of gross indecency with a boy under 16, two counts of voyeurism and one count of taking indecent images of a child.
The conviction comes after an investigation by Cambridgeshire Constabulary’s Child Abuse Investigation and Safeguarding Unit (CAISU).
It was alleged during his time as assistant organist for Ely Cathedral, he befriended some of the children under his supervision and occasionally invited them back to his flat.
Police were told how Farrell would then show the children pornographic images and videos before carrying out sexual acts.
At the time of the investigation, which began in November 2017, Farrell was working as the director of music at Rochester Cathedral in Kent.
He was arrested and suspended from his role and his electronic devices were seized.
Officers later found voyeuristic images and videos believed to have been taken on hidden cameras in bathrooms and bedrooms, some at his own flat, others at different homes.
Another 135 category C indecent images – category A being the most severe – were found which Farrell had taken himself.
Detective Constable Claire Bamford, from Cambridgeshire Constabulary’s CAISU, said: “This has been a lengthy investigation spanning several counties and involved tracking down a number of victims and witnesses.
“I would like to thank the victims for coming forward and showing great bravery in speaking out about the abuse they suffered at the hands of Farrell. Hopefully this result will provide them with some level of closure and they can begin to put this part of their lives behind them.”
Farrell has been released on bail while he awaits a date for sentencing at crown court.
For information and advice regarding sexual offences and child abuse visit www.cambs.police.uk/childprotection . To make a report about a concern you can do this online at www.cambs.police.uk/reportconcern or call 101 to speak with a member of staff.
