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Ex-scout leader Robert Major abused three boys | |
(about 6 hours later) | |
A former scout leader has been jailed for 14 years for sexually assaulting a father, his son and his cousin when they were children. | A former scout leader has been jailed for 14 years for sexually assaulting a father, his son and his cousin when they were children. |
Robert Major, 63, of Steppingstone Place, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, was found guilty of abuse between 1977 and 1982, and 1997 and 2001. | Robert Major, 63, of Steppingstone Place, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, was found guilty of abuse between 1977 and 1982, and 1997 and 2001. |
He abused the son at a flat in Aylesbury in the 1990s, the town's crown court heard. | |
Major assaulted his father two decades earlier, while a swimming instructor. | |
He was found guilty of 12 charges of indecent assault, four indecency charges and one of a serious sexual assault. | |
'Father figure' | 'Father figure' |
The court was told Major was employed at Tiddenfoot Leisure Centre in Leighton Buzzard, at the time of the first period of abuse. | |
He repeatedly said "I did not have sex with him", during cross-examination by prosecutors over assaulting the three boys. | |
Prosecutor Mary Lorum said to the defendant: "You are a manipulative man who has become skilled at spotting which young boys will go along with your sexual desires." | Prosecutor Mary Lorum said to the defendant: "You are a manipulative man who has become skilled at spotting which young boys will go along with your sexual desires." |
Major denied this, telling the jury he was a friendly person who was like a father figure to young people. | Major denied this, telling the jury he was a friendly person who was like a father figure to young people. |
He admitted he did have sex with one of the boys when he was 21, but said it was consensual. | |
'Complex investigation' | |
He was cleared of one charge of rape against the father. | He was cleared of one charge of rape against the father. |
Case investigator Jo Simmons, of Thames Valley Police, said: "This has been a long and complex investigation which has resulted in three victims coming forward to report the abuse Robert Major subjected them to. | |
"He was in a position of trust and abused this position to target young boys by plying them with cigarettes and alcohol. | |
"I would like to pay tribute to the bravery shown by all the victims as they have been through a horrendous ordeal. I hope this result will help them find a way to move forward with their lives." | |
In addition to the prison sentence, Major will have to sign onto the Sex Offenders' Register for life. |
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