Ex-Scout Leader Jailed for 22 Years in Horrific Child Sex Abuse Case
Ian Silvester, 60, a former Scout leader from Locks Hill, has been slammed with a 22-year prison sentence for abusing dozens of boys over 25 years. Found guilty at Lewes Crown Court, Silvester’s sick crimes shocked the nation.
Trusted Roles Used as Cover for Abuse
Silvester wielded positions giving him unsupervised access to children: Scout leader, children’s nurse, St John’s Ambulance worker, diving instructor, first aid trainer, babysitter, and registered nurse. The Nursing and Midwifery Council struck him off in 2015 after his offences came to light.
Decades of Abuse Under First Aid Training Pretence
- Between 1986 and 2011, Silvester sexually assaulted 19 boys.
- He often used “first aid training” as a trap to abuse his victims.
- Police uncovered digital devices loaded with more than two million files indicating a sexual interest in young boys, including 68 indecent images of children.
Sentenced to 16 Years Behind Bars Plus Extended Licence
Silvester faced 44 counts of indecent assault, 25 counts of non-penetrative sexual activity with a child, plus other charges. He was found guilty on all charges on November 20 and locked up on February 7.
He will serve 16 years in prison, followed by six years on extended licence.
“The very definition of a paedophile hiding in plain sight,” Judge Christine Laing said, condemning Silvester’s “immense psychological harm” to victims.
Investigator Nicky Beard hailed the bravery of the victims and urged other survivors of abuse to come forward.
