A former organ teacher and choirmaster at a Surrey church has been jailed for three years for historic sexual abuse of a child.

Sean McNally, 71, pleaded guilty to five sexual offences between 1973 and 1976 against the same victim, who was aged 10-13 years old.

He played on his victim’s faith by making him swear to God he wouldn’t tell anyone about the abuse, according to Surrey Police.

Two charges involved more than 40 occasions of touching and indecent assault against the victim when McNally worked at St Peter’s Church in Hersham, the force added.

In a statement the Diocese of Guildford offered its “unreserved apology to all survivors and those affected by this news”.

A spokesperson said the diocese was committed to making the church a safer place and that it had taken safeguarding steps.

“But we can never be complacent,” the diocese spokesperson added. “Abuse is a terrible crime and a grievous breach of trust, which has lifelong effects.”

McNally pleaded 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.

He was sentenced on Monday at Kingston Crown Court.

Mc Nally subjected the victim, who police say had years of therapy as an adult, to frequent abuse over the three-year period.

Using his position of trust as an organ teacher, he groomed the victim into believing he was special, that he was being taken on special trips and educated about “secret societies”, said Surrey Police.

Investigating officer Emily Nurcombe, from the North Surrey Child Abuse Department, praised the victim’s “courage and confidence” to report the abuse he had suffered during his childhood.

She said she hoped the victim could come to terms with what happened and start rebuilding his life now McNally was behind bars.

“We will always investigate allegations of non-recent sexual abuse, no matter how long ago the abuse occurred,” Ms Nurcombe added.

“You will be listened to, you will be believed and you will be supported.”