DAVID BRIDGES, SCOUT MASTER FROM ASTON CLINTON, JAILED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE IN ST ALBANS

In September 2007, David Bridges, a scout master from Aston Clinton, Buckinghamshire, was sentenced to four years in prison for sexually abusing minors within his troop during the 1980s.

Bridges, aged 54 and married, faced nine counts of indecently assaulting six scouts at trial at St Albans Crown Court. He was convicted by a jury of seven assaults involving five of the boys.

The court heard that the abuse took place inside a scout hut in Sarratt, near Watford, Hertfordshire, between 1982 and 1987. Justice details revealed that the assaults occurred during sleepovers at the village scout hut, with victims recounting waking up to find Bridges abusing them.

The abuse only surfaced last year when one victim, now 36, reported the incidents to police. Asked why he had waited so long to come forward, he explained, "I hadn’t wanted to tell my father, who has now died of lung cancer, but I now didn’t want anyone else to suffer."

The victim added, “My son had started at a cub group and I didn’t want him to have these kind of experiences — he’s eight.” Further allegations emerged after detectives traced other scouts from Mr. Bridges’ troop.

In her sentencing remarks, Judge John Plumstead stated, “You had power over young boys at an impressionable age. In some cases you gave them drink.” He ordered Bridges to be placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely and banned him from working with children.