May 2016

Former Scout leader jailed for sexual offences

A 79-year-old man has been jailed for more than four years’ imprisonment for sexual offences against children.

Former Scout leader Graham Stanford, formerly of Cambridge Court, Ellesmere, Shropshire, was convicted of two counts of indecent assault on a male and two counts of indecency with a child after pleading guilty at Reading Crown Court on Friday (April 29).

He was sentenced to a total of four years and six months’ imprisonment in total for the offences.

Stanford, who was a Scout leader in Berkshire during the 1970s, met the two boy victims and went on to indecently assault them.

Stanford, is already serving a prison sentence after having been convicted of similar sexual offences last year against a further victim.

Speaking following the hearing, investigating officer PC Andrew Penrith, from Windsor Child Abuse Investigation Unit, said: “Stanford took advantage of the trust placed in him by people in the community, people who trusted him to be a role model and to care for children and he instead abused this trust for his own sexual pleasure.

“The victims in this case have been living with the effects of these crimes for many years and have finally had the recognition they deserve with regard to these appalling crimes committed against them. I would encourage all victims of abuse to come forward and speak to the police – you will be listened to and dealt with sensitively.”