Steven McNally, former Scout leader and housemaster sentenced to 26 years for abusing children
Steven McNally was a housemaster at Nazareth House in Nottingham, which was run by the Sisters of Nazareth Catholic order. He was also a Scout leader at Bishop’s Own Troop in Nottingham. McNally abused his position of trust and sexually, physically and emotionally abused several children while working in both roles in Nottingham between 1974 and 1979.
McNally had been able to evade justice for many years and later in life he moved to Ireland where he lived until he was extradited to face charges in England.
Speaking following the sentencing hearing, DC Sanders from Nottinghamshire Police who was in charge of the criminal investigation said:
“McNally was a manipulative sex offender who systematically targeted vulnerable boys over a period of six years.”
McNally was found guilty of:
- 11 counts of indecent assault on a child;
- 7 counts of indecent assault on a child on no fewer than five occasions;
- 3 counts of indecency with a child;
- 2 counts of indecency with a child on no fewer than five occasions;
- 1 count of buggery on a person under 16.
On 19 January 2024, he was sentenced to 26 years in prison plus a one-year extended licence period. McNally, who is now 67, will serve a minimum 17 years before he can apply to the Parole Board to be released on licence.
While McNally was able to lead a respected life of a scout leader and a housemaster, his victims have suffered from the consequences of the abuse for decades. They deserve to be compensated for the harm causes to them by the abuse.
A civil claim for compensation can enable survivors to access funding for therapy and losses as a result of abuse they have experienced. Anyone who has suffered abuse by McNally can contact me directly for a free, no-obligation, advice about their rights.
