Latest news with #IanSilvester
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Yahoo
Scout leader jailed for decades-long abuse of boys
A former cub scout leader dubbed a "paedophile hiding in plain sight" has been jailed for sexually assaulting boys as young as seven for almost 30 years. Ian Silvester, of Locks Hill in Portslade, East Sussex, had befriended his victims working as a babysitter, diving instructor, first aid trainer and St John Ambulance trainer. He had previously denied 83 charges of historical sexual abuse in Hove and Worthing, but was found guilty of 79 of those charges following a trial at Lewes Crown Court in November. Silvester, 60, was sentenced to 16 years in prison with an additional six years on licence at the same court on Friday. Sentencing Silvester, Judge Christine Laing KC said: "You are the very definition of a paedophile hiding in plain sight." The judge said the defendant had given his victims a "lifetime of shame and regret", telling the court the abuse happened so "openly and plainly and so often in front of others". She added: "The fact is, you were in a position of trust with each boy. "Either as their babysitter, their cub scout master, their diving coach, a provider of first aid training, claiming to meet them to practice to be victims, and your behaviour was a gross abuse of that trust." An impact statement read out in court from one man who was abused by Silvester said: "You are a monster who picked the most vulnerable in society." On devices seized from Silvester's home were images and videos of his victims being assaulted by him as well as indecent images of children, online chat logs and web searches of sexual interest in young boys. Silvester was found guilty of 44 counts of indecent assault on a male, 25 counts of sexual activity with a child, four counts of sexual assault, two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13 and two counts of making indecent photos of children. The offences, including assaulting 19 boys, took place between 1986 and 2013. Sussex Police investigator Nicky Beard said: "Ian Silvester abused the trust placed in him by his victims and their parents in the most appalling ways. "He was relentless in seeking and creating roles which allowed him continued access to boys and young men, many of whom were vulnerable, and he would ruthlessly abuse them for his own sexual gratification." A spokesperson for the Scouts Association said Silvester would "never again be allowed to volunteer with the Scout Movement". It added: "There is no place in the organisation for anyone who behaves in this way." A spokesperson for St John Ambulance said Silvester had been a volunteer with the organisation until 2007. They added: "We are pleased to see justice has been served and Ian Silvester has received a 16-year prison sentence for his appalling crimes." Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Cub scout leader sexually assaulted boys Mother caught scout leader abusing son, court told HM Courts and Tribunals Service
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Yahoo
Paedophile Scout leader was ‘hiding in plain sight', court told
A paedophile Scout leader hid in 'plain sight' and sexually abused 19 boys over a 30-year period, a court has heard. Ian Silvester befriended young victims and their families through his jobs as a diving instructor, St John Ambulance trainer, first-aid trainer and babysitter between 1986 and 2013. The 60-year-old, from Brighton, manipulated the children under the guise of playing an innocent game or taking part in an educational activity for his own sexual gratification, prosecutors said. He was jailed for 16 years on Friday, with an additional six years on extended licence, after a trial at Lewes Crown Court. Judge Christine Laing KC told Silvester: 'You are the very definition of a paedophile hiding in plain sight.' The judge said the defendant had given his victims a 'lifetime of shame and regret', telling the court the abuse happened so 'openly and plainly and so often in front of others'. She added: 'The fact is, you were in a position of trust with each boy. Either as their babysitter, their Cub Scout master, their diving coach, a provider of first-aid training… your behaviour was a gross abuse of that trust.' Silvester was found guilty of 44 counts of indecent assault on a male, 25 counts of sexual activity with a child, four counts of sexual assault, two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, two counts of sexual assault of a child under 13 and two counts of making indecent photos of children. After he was arrested, indecent images of children and photos and videos of his victims being assaulted by Silvester were found on his devices seized by police from his home. The judge made an order for the forfeiture and destruction of the material. Emma Lile, specialist prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, said: 'Ian Silvester's crimes are particularly disturbing given the various roles he held over many years where he was entrusted with the responsibility of caring for and safeguarding children. 'He abused these positions in the worst possible way and took advantage of young boys. Silvester tried to claim that what he was doing was innocent, denying that his behaviour was sexually motivated.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
