Former Scouts leader Michael Costin sentenced for a third time for child sexual offences
A former Scouts leader has been sentenced for sexual abuse against a further 14 young boys.
Michael Costin, 59, was sentenced last week to 15 years and three months in prison for historic sexual abuse against children in East London and Suffolk. He was previously convicted of similar sexual offences in 1996 and 2011.
Several survivors faced Costin in court to read out victim impact statements, describing the profound and lifelong harm he’d caused.
Members of Bolt Burdon Kemp’s abuse team – Hayyin Fan, Sophie Mash and Charlotte Wailes – attended the sentencing at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Tuesday 23 July and Wednesday 24 July.
Snaresbrook Crown Court heard how between 1982 and 1986 Costin sexually abused four victims in Rush Green, Romford. Costin went on to sexually abuse a further 10 victims in Suffolk between 1989 and 1994. Costin groomed and plied young boys with alcohol, sexually assaulted some of his victims whilst they were asleep, performed sexual acts on them and forced them to perform sexual acts on him.
Survivors came forward between 2017 and 2023, and further investigations led to Costin again being brought to justice for his crimes.
Costin previously admitted 14 counts of indecent assault on 13 June 2023, before being convicted in February 2024 of seven counts of indecent assault after a trial before a jury at Snaresbrook Crown Court.
Victim impact statements highlighted how the impact of childhood sexual abuse is devastating and often lifelong. Many of the victims detailed how the abuse had impacted various aspects of their lives, such as their education and employment, their mental health, their relationships – including those with their families – and had caused difficulties in trusting men and authority figures.
Judge Gordon, in handing down Costin’s sentence, noted how Costin had actively sought opportunities to abuse young children. Costin had plainly used his position as a Scouts leader to groom and abuse each of his victims for his sexual pleasure.
Detective Constable James Howlett of the Metropolitan Police who led the investigation said: “Costin is a dangerous man with a deep history of abuse against children. The work we do every day helps to protect victims, secure justice and put people like him behind bars with the aim of making our community safer.”
Costin horrifically abused his position of power as a Scout leader in the worst way possible, with a harrowing history spanning decades of abusing so many children. Justice was served in court last week, and I hope this sentence gives survivors the courage to come forward to the police to report what has happened to them.
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 rightly deserve.
Anyone affected by the issues raised in this blog can contact me directly for free, no-obligation advice about their rights.
