Sean McNally, a former organ teacher and choirmaster at a Surrey church, has been jailed for child sexual abuse.

The 71-year-old man has pleaded guilty to five sexual offences. The victim is understood to have been between ten and thirteen years old at the time of the abuse.

McNally was sentenced on Monday after pleading guilty to two counts of indecency with a child and three counts of indecent assault on a male person at an earlier hearing in July 2024.

The NSPCC said McNally had used his trustworthy position within the church to groom and repeatedly sexually abuse a child.

He has been sentenced to three years in prison.

A charity spokesperson said: “That he has finally been brought to justice is thanks to the courage of the victim in speaking out about what happened to him around 50 years ago.”

According to Surrey Police, McNally groomed the victim into believing he was special and was being taken on special trips.

In a statement, the Diocese of Guildford has expressed its “unreserved apology to all survivors and those affected by this news” and said it was committed to making the church a safer place.

Investigating officer Emily Nurcombe, from the North Surrey Child Abuse Department, praised the victim's "courage and confidence" to report the abuse.

She further stated: "We will always investigate allegations of non-recent sexual abuse, no matter how long ago the abuse occurred.

"You will be listened to, you will be believed and you will be supported."

The NSPCC spokesperson added: “We hope this case will give confidence to others who have suffered non-recent sexual abuse that - no matter who the offender is and how many years have passed - if they speak out they will be listened to.”