Former Hove Scout leader jailed for dozens of child sex offences

Former Scout leader Ian Silvester has been jailed for committing dozens of child sex offences.

Silvester, 60, of Locks Hill in Portslade, held a number of positions and owned businesses that gave him unsupervised access to children over several decades.

He worked as a Scout leader, children’s nurse, St John’s Ambulance worker, diving instructor, first aid trainer, babysitter, and a registered nurse and registered children’s nurse.

Silvester was struck off by the Nursing and Midwifery Council in 2015.

Over a period of 25 years – between 1986 and 2011 – Silvester sexually assaulted 19 boys linked to several of his roles of trust, including the Scouts and his various businesses.

Many of the assaults took place under the guise of ‘first aid training’, during which Silvester would sexually touch his victims.

Following Silvester’s arrest, digital devices were found containing more than two million media articles suggesting a sexual interest in young boys, including 68 indecent images of children.

He was subsequently charged and found guilty of 44 counts of indecent assault, 25 counts of non-penetrative sexual activity with a child, two counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity, two counts of sexual activity with a child under 13 and two counts of making an indecent image of a child.

At Lewes Crown Court on Wednesday, 20 November, he was found guilty of all charges.

At the same court on Friday (7 February), Silvester was given a 22-year sentence, with 16 years to be spent in custody and an additional six years on extended license.

Passing sentence, HHJ Christine Laing said: "You are the very definition of a paedophile hiding in plain sight.

"A prolific sex offender who spent at least 22 years of your adult life targeting vulnerable young boys for your own sexual pleasure, and in a manner that allowed you to repeatedly abuse those boys in full view of others."

She continued: "The psychological harm caused by your activities is immense. Causing many of your victims in the years since to question and doubt any type of interaction with other people, particularly physical touching, as potentially having an underlying sexual motive.

"It is a testament to all the victims that they have gone on to forge successful and meaningful lives."

She reiterated that the victims bear no blame for Silvester's actions.

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.

"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.

"Thanks to the enormous courage shown by the victims, the support of their families and the witnesses in this case, we have finally been able to get justice for all Silvester's victims and put him behind bars where he can pose no further risk.

"I would like to thank all the organisations linked to Silvester's offending for their support throughout the investigation.

"If you are a victim of sexual abuse, however long ago, please report it. We will do everything in our power to get you justice."