Search Bolt Burdon Kemp

Scout leaders should encourage the adventurous, fun side of childhood, equipping children with life skills while ensuring they don’t grow up too quickly. While it can seem unthinkable that people with this responsibility would take advantage of the trust parents…

A former Scout leader and boarding school housemaster who fled police by stealing an unwell man’s identity has been convicted of nearly 100 offences, including dozens of child sexual abuse. Prolific abuser Richard Burrows, 80, systematically targeted and abused boys…

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…

A former Scouts leader and children’s home carer has been charged with 89 counts of sexual abuse after being on the run for 27 years. Richard Burrows, 80, is accused of sexually abusing 26 children between 1968 and 1995 in…

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…

A former Scout leader and teacher considered a “hero” by youngsters has been convicted of sexually abusing children for a third time. Michael Costin, 59, groomed his victims with drugs and alcohol before sexually abusing them. The prolific paedophile was…

West Yorkshire Police have appealed for members of scout groups in Wakefield in the 1960s to come forward with any information they may have in relation to allegations of child abuse. A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police has said “A…

For decades, young children joined the Scouts in the hope of experiencing new adventures and exploring the big outdoors. But instead, many endured horrific sexual abuse at the hands of Scout leaders and those in positions of responsibility at the…

The French movie “By the grace of God”, beautifully constructed and performed, makes a significant and sensitive contribution to the scandal of sexual abuse in the Church. On 7th March 2019, French Cardinal Barbarin was found guilty of non-disclosure of…

In recent years we have seen stories of non-recent sexual abuse hit the headlines time and again. As a nation, we have acknowledged the extent of non-recent child sexual abuse and the damage it has done. As a result, the…

The recent case of Various Claimants -v- Barclays Bank plc (Dr Bates (deceased) and Barclays Group Litigation) [2017] EWHC 1929 (QB) extends the principle of vicarious liability to individuals working for organisations as independent contractors. The group action against Barclays arose…

On 12 May 2017 former Scout Master, Norman Thompson, was sentenced to 16 years imprisonment at Carlisle Crown Court in relation to non-recent sexual offences against children. Earlier in the week, Thompson pleaded guilty to a total of 30 offences…

Today, 19 May 2017, John Parrish appeared at Manchester Crown Court to be sentenced for indecently assaulting a child under the age of 14, between 1969 to 1972. Parrish was sentenced to eight years imprisonment plus one additional year on…