Portslade cub scout leader jailed for decades-long abuse of boys
BBC News, South East
Sussex PoliceA former Boy Scout leader of the Bear Scout, known as a “pedophile” who is “hidden in sight” has been sentenced to jail for nearly 30 years of sexual assault on a boy aged seven.
Ian Silvester of Locks Hill, Parkslad, East Sussex, became victims of nanny, diving instructor, first aid instructor and St. John’s ambulance instructor .
He had previously committed 83 counts of historic sexual abuse at Hove and Worthing, but was sentenced to 79 charges after a trial at Lewes Crown Court in November.
Silvester, 60, was sentenced to 16 years in prison in the same court on Friday and was granted permission in the same court.
Judge Christine Laing KC said to Silvester’s sentence: “You are the definition of a pedophile hidden in sight.”
The judge said the defendant brought “lifelong shame and regret” to the victim, telling the court that the abuse was so “open, simple, and often in front of others.”
She added: “The truth is, you trust every boy.
“Either as a nanny, their Bear Scout Master, their diving instructor, the provider of first aid training, claim to meet them to practice becoming a victim, and your behavior is a serious abuse of this trust.”
Eddie Mitchell“You are the one who picks the most vulnerable monster in society,” a statement of influence read in court by someone abused by Silvester said.
The device caught by Silvester is the images and videos of his victims assaults as well as defiance images of children, online chat logs and web searches for young boys’ sexual interests.
Sylvester was found guilty of 44 counts of indecent assault on a man, 25 counts of sexual acts with a child, four counts of sexual assault, two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activities, two counts of sexual assault on a child Crime 13 and two counts of making indecent photos of children.
These crimes, including the attack on 19 boys, occurred between 1986 and 2013.
Sussex Police Investigator Nicky Beard said: “Ian Silvester abused the trust the victim and his parents have in him in the most shocking way.
“He relentlessly in seeking and creating roles, he continues to reach boys and young people, many of whom are vulnerable, and he will ruthlessly abuse them because of his sexual satisfaction.”
A spokesman for the Boy Scouts Association said Sylvester will “never be allowed to volunteer with the Boy Scouts movement again.”
It added: “There is no one in the organization who behaves in this way.”
