Victim Urges Others ‘To Not Suffer In Silence’

A Leeds man abused by convicted paedophile Kenneth Endersby is urging anyone affected by similar problems to come forward and speak about what they have faced, as specialist lawyers launch legal action to help him gain justice regarding his ordeal.

The abuse Roy Blanchard suffered at the hands of Endersby, who was choirmaster and organist at St Stephen’s church in Kirkstall, began in 1966 when he was just 11 and continued over a five year period. He was even told that he would go to prison if he told anyone about it.

After struggling for almost 50 years with the secret of what happened to him, Blanchard courageously spoke out to the NSPCC several years ago after moving back to the city and discovering Endersby was not only still the organist at the church but still remained as choirmaster and therefore continued to work with children.

Following a trial at Leeds Crown Court, Endersby was jailed for eight years in 2016 after being found guilty of eight offences of indecent assault and two of indecency with a child.

Roy Blanchard has now instructed specialist abuse lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to help him take civil legal action in relation to the torment he suffered at the hands of Endersby and gain justice regarding the impact that the abuse has had on his life.

Raman Dhillon, the specialist lawyer in Irwin Mitchell’s Abuse team who is representing Mr Blanchard, said: 

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“The terrible ordeal that our client endured has affected him for his entire life and is reminiscent of so many recent cases, with many people only having the courage to come forward and speak out about what they have faced many years after it happened.

“While his abuser has been imprisoned, we are now working to compensate Mr Blanchard for the huge impact the abuse has had on him.

“Roy has shown courage and dignity in the face of everything that he has been through, both across his life and in recent years, and we are determined to help him get the justice he deserves.” Raman Dhillon - Solicitor

Looking back on the impact of the abuse, Roy said: “I truly believe that the abuse I suffered destroyed my life and led me to lose some of my best years.

“I can remember sitting exams at school at the time of what happened and really struggling to concentrate due to what was going on. I have also struggled with alcoholism for a number of years during my life too.

“While the conviction was a moment of great relief, I’m hoping that getting justice regarding what I faced will be an opportunity for me to finally put everything that has happened behind me.”

Roy added: “I also hope that my story will give others affected by similar problems the courage to come forward and speak out about what they have been through.

“After years of trying to come to terms with it on my own, it was amazing to be able to talk to people who listened to me and were sensitive to what I had been through. No one should suffer in silence.”