Former Scouts leader, Ian Silvester, accused of 83 counts of sexual abuse
A former Scouts leader has been accused of 83 counts of sexual abuse against boys and young men.
Ian Silvester, 60, is alleged to have abused 19 boys and young men in Sussex over a 30 year period.
Silvester held various positions working with young people, including as a Scouts leader, babysitter, first aid trainer, and diving instructor at a swimming club.
In an email, he admitted that these roles provided him with a “perfect cover” for his alleged crimes, Lewes Crown Court heard.
Prosecutors said Silverster would befriend boys and their families so he was trusted and became part of the family. In each of these roles, he was able to persuade the young boys to do whatever he asked without question.
Silvester was arrested in 2021 when police discovered images of young boys on his electronic devices. Some of videos and images were captured himself while others were believed to have been sourced from the internet. The trial heard Silvester sexually abused 19 children, some as young as seven.
Silvester denied deriving any sexual pleasure from the acts. However, the court heard how during scout meetings he would pin children down and run his hands over their bodies, calling it “jungle treatment”.
A previous scout leader told the court he would straddle the children with his knees on either side and their arms pinned down so they couldn’t wiggle out. Afterwards Silverster would “look quite flushed or quite hot”, the court heard.
Silvester denies all 83 charges, which include indecent assault, sexual activity with a child, sexual assault, and possession of indecent images of children.
The trial continues.
Anyone affected by the issues raised in this blog can contact me directly for free, no-obligation advice about their rights.
It is important survivors are aware they should not suffer in silence and support is available. As well as obtaining justice through the criminal process, survivors can be compensated through the civil process for the harm caused to them by the abuse. Bolt Burdon Kemp is committed to supporting survivors of abuse in obtaining the compensation they deserve.
