From my own experience of personally knowing someone who has recently been sent to prison for 10 years for multiple (30+) cases of child abuse - in children's homes and in the army over a long period of time - all I can say is that appearances can be deceptive.

This man was a chaplain in the institution where I worked. We worked on the same committees, met several times formally and informally for many years, and I have to say that, in general, he appeared to be a decent and well-respected person. My colleagues felt the same. I was shocked when the allegations initially appeared in the press.

I've now read the details of the offences, which included sexual abuse followed by beatings if the abused child tried to speak out. I've read testimony by the now grown-up children - no damages or compensation claimed, by the way - which is appalling.

Moral: You just can't tell what a person is really like - and all speculation one way or the other is pointless until the trial starts and the facts for and against are brought out and weighed up.