KEVIN PILLING FROM HEYSHAM SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS FOR ABUSING BOYS IN LANCASTER AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

In a harrowing case that has shocked the local community, Kevin Pilling, a scout leader from Heysham, has been sentenced to a decade behind bars for a series of heinous crimes involving the sexual abuse of young boys under his care. The conviction, which was handed down at Preston Crown Court, details a pattern of disturbing misconduct that spanned over four years and involved multiple victims.

Kevin Pilling, aged 50 and serving as the assistant district commissioner for the scouting movement in Lancaster, was found guilty last month of six counts of rape and one count of indecent assault. The court heard how Pilling, a father of five, used his position of trust to prey on vulnerable boys, exploiting their innocence during their participation in scouting activities. The court was told that Pilling’s abuse was not an isolated incident but a habitual pattern that inflicted lasting trauma on his victims.

The sentencing took place in the presence of members of Pilling’s family, as well as the families of the three boys he assaulted. The courtroom was packed, reflecting the community’s concern and the gravity of the case. Judge Edward Slinger, presiding over the case, described Pilling’s actions as “dreadful and depraved,” emphasizing that only a substantial custodial sentence could serve justice.

Throughout the two-week trial, evidence was presented revealing how Pilling had systematically targeted at least two boys. It was disclosed that he had given lifts to one young scout, referred to as Boy A, over a period of two years, during which he repeatedly raped him. The court heard that Pilling had indecently assaulted Boy A as early as August 1996 and began raping him at his home in 1998. The abuse extended to taking Boy A to a scout camp in Buckinghamshire, where Pilling offered to teach him driving before assaulting him in the back seat of a vehicle.

Another victim, Boy B, was targeted after Pilling allegedly offered to fund his participation in a scout camp in Buckinghamshire, especially when Boy B’s parents could not afford the trip. Pilling was convicted of eight years for each of the rape counts and 18 months for the indecent assault on Boy A, with these sentences to run concurrently. Additionally, he received a two-year sentence for the indecent assault against Boy B, to be served consecutively.

Following the verdict, Judge Slinger reminded Pilling of his long-standing involvement in the scouting movement, which spanned nearly 40 years. The judge highlighted that Pilling was fully aware of the regulations designed to protect young boys from abuse and that his actions represented a gross betrayal of that trust. The court also noted the absence of any remorse from Pilling, stating, “There is not the slightest sign of remorse on your part for what you did. You have lost a substantial discount available to those who show proper remorse.”

As part of his sentence, Pilling was ordered to register as a sex offender indefinitely, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses to the community. The case has left a lasting impact on the victims and serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding children in all organizations, including scouting.