‘Evil’ scoutmaster sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment for grooming and sexually abusing cubs and scouts

James Thacker prosecuted AA, a scoutmaster of 11 years, who groomed and sexually abused at least 7 young boys when aged between 9 and 13 years who were cubs and scouts. He carried out his ‘appalling and evil’ pattern of offences at campsites and at the children’s homes whilst their parents were in other parts of the property. His actions were predatory and blatant but as he also groomed the parents too he was trusted and viewed as a role model by many.

He was also found to have had inappropriate chats with young scouts via messaging and requested sexually explicit photographs. He had also made indecent photographs of some cubs and scouts and was in possession of many more.

He was sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment and made subject to an extremely prohibitive Sexual Harm Prevention Order for life and has been placed on the Sexual Offenders Register indefinitely.

James Thacker was instructed by David Nixon of the RASSO unit at CPS London.