Former scout leader on trial for child sexual offences admits separate abuse

A former Scout leader and teacher accused of sexual abuse has admitted molesting boys in a separate case.

Michael Costin, 58, is on trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court over allegations he groomed young boys with alcohol and drugs before sexually abusing them.

Costin, who was nicknamed ‘Mick’, was involved with numerous scout groups including Rush Green Group that was attached to St Augustine’s Church in Romford, east London, and First Kirton Sea Scouts in Ipswich, Suffolk. He was also a teacher at Felixstowe’s Orwell High School in Suffolk.

Costin denies eight charges of sexual abuse against seven boys in the early Nineties after moving from Romford to Suffolk.

Jurors were informed he had already admitted to performing oral sex and molesting boys in London and Suffolk, including scouts in Havering, east London, in the Eighties, in a separate case heard in June 2023.

These young children looked up to Michael Costin, the court heard. He had a duty to look after those in his care but instead, he abused his position of power to manipulate young boys and to take advantage of their vulnerability, jurors were told.

The trial continues.

Any victim of child sexual abuse is likely to have suffered awful consequences for decades and they deserve to be compensated for the harm caused to them by abuse.

It can be difficult for victims to come forward as it can bring up difficult and traumatic memories and feelings. We want all survivors to know they are not alone and any time is the right time to come forward and there will be support available.

A civil claim for compensation can enable survivors to access funding for therapy and losses as a result of abuse they have experienced. Anyone who has suffered abuse can contact our specialist abuse team directly for free, no-obligation advice about their rights.