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Scout leader jailed for decades-long child abuse Scout leader who abused boys since the 1990s jailed
(32 minutes later)
A former cub scout leader dubbed a "paedophile hiding in plain sight" has been jailed for 16 years for sexually assaulting children as young as seven years old spanning nearly three decades. Ian Silvester has been jailed for 16 years for sexually assaulting children as young as seven.
Ian Silvester, of Locks Hill in Portslade, East Sussex, previously denied 83 charges of historical sex abuse in Hove and Worthing. A former cub scout leader dubbed a "paedophile hiding in plain sight" has been jailed for sexually assaulting boys as young as seven since the 1990s.
Silvester, 60, who also worked as a babysitter, diving instructor, first aid trainer and St John Ambulance trainer, was found guilty of 79 of those charges following a trial at Lewes Crown Court in November. 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 was sentenced to 16 years in prison with an additional six years on licence at the same court on Friday. 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.
Sentencing Silvester, judge Christine Laing KC said: "You are the very definition of a paedophile hiding in plain sight." 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".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".
Impact statements were read out in court each describing the confusion and shame felt by his victims. She added: "The fact is, you were in a position of trust with each boy.
One man who was abused by Silvester said: "You are a monster who picked the most vulnerable in society." "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."
Ian Silvester being taken into Lewes Crown Court
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.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.
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version. Sussex Police investigator Nicky Beard said: "For over three decades, Ian Silvester abused the trust placed in him by his victims and their parents, in the most appalling ways.
You can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on X, external to get the latest alerts. "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."
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