Paedophile who preyed on boys at Scout camp sentenced to two years in prison

A 76 year old man from Gloucestershire has been sentenced to more than two years’ imprisonment after carrying out a series of indecent assaults on boys at Chalfont Heights Scout Camp in Buckinghamshire in the 1980s.

Following an investigation by Thames Valley Police, the man from Underhill Road, Charfield, Wooton under Edge, Gloucestershire, was arrested on suspicion of indecent assault on a boy under 16 on 22nd May 2013.

He was then charged with three counts of indecent assault on a boy under 16 on 28th April 2014.

The offences all took place against boys at Chalfont Heights Scout Camp between 1st August 1984 and 31st August 1985 where the man used to work as a camp warden.

The charges relate to two victims.

On Wednesday 29th October 2014, at Aylesbury Crown Court, the man was sentenced to 27 months’ imprisonment for count one, 27 months’ imprisonment for count two and 12 months’ imprisonment for count three. The sentences are to run concurrently.

Chief Crown Prosecutor for Thames and Chiltern Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), Adrian Foster said: ‘This case involved sexual activity between a man, who is now 76-years-old, and two boys at Chalfont Heights Scout Camp, Buckinghamshire between August 1984 and August 1985.The age of the victims at the time greatly increases the seriousness of the offences.

The sentence serves as an important message to people who have been the victim of crimes such as these, or those that know such crimes are being committed, should come forward because time is no barrier to justice. The CPS will work closely with partners, as we did with Thames Valley Police in this case, to ensure that robust criminal cases are put before the courts.

The emotional impact on the victims and their families of the abhorrent actions of this man is impossible to quantify. I hope that the conviction and sentence gives some small comfort to them. Our thoughts are very much with them all at this time.‘