MICHAEL TUCK'S HORRIFIC CHILD ABUSE IN WITNEY: VICTIMS LEFT CHEATED AS PAEDOPHILE ADMITS DECADES OF TERROR

In February 2000, a disturbing case involving the child abuse committed by Michael Tuck, a former cub scout leader from Witney, came to a close in Oxford Crown Court. Tuck, aged 53 at the time, had been responsible for a prolonged period of sexual abuse spanning over 17 years, during which he targeted vulnerable children in the Witney area and nearby communities.

Victims and their families had hoped for a comprehensive courtroom hearing that would fully expose the extent of Tuck’s crimes. However, the defendant’s decision to plead guilty to multiple charges meant that the court did not hear the full details of his offenses. This outcome left many victims and their loved ones feeling betrayed and frustrated, as they believed that justice had not been fully served.

A mother, whose identity remains confidential to protect her son’s privacy, expressed her anger and disappointment. She told the Oxford Mail, “By pleading guilty he made sure they would never hear the whole story. There were lots more children who did not come forward.” Her son, one of Tuck’s victims, felt “cheated” because he was denied the opportunity to recount the full horror of his experience in court.

Michael Tuck, who resided in Oxlease, Witney, had established a close relationship with the families of the children he abused while serving as a cub scout leader near Wantage. His confession revealed that he had committed six indecent assaults and six charges of indecency against six different children—five boys and one girl. His abuse began in 1972 when he was 26 years old and persisted for nearly two decades before he finally sought psychiatric help.

It was only after a woman, the girlfriend of one of Tuck’s victims, contacted the police and provided detailed information about the abuse—including photographs of naked children—that authorities took action. A subsequent search of Tuck’s home uncovered a number of incriminating items, notably a diary documenting his abusive acts.

During the trial, prosecutor Anthony McGeorge outlined how Tuck would buy gifts for the children and take them on trips, including camping holidays, which became the settings for most of the abuse. Defense lawyer Peter Greenfield acknowledged Tuck’s remorse and his awareness of the harm caused, stating, “He did not befriend the families as a way of seeking out victims and he knew what he was doing was wrong and was trying to get help.”

Judge Ian Kennedy sentenced Tuck to five years in prison, condemning his betrayal of the trust placed in him by parents and the community. The judge remarked, “You won the confidence of parents who allowed you to take their children away and you took the opportunity to abuse them.”

Following his release, Tuck will remain on the sex offender register for the rest of his life, ensuring ongoing monitoring of his activities. The sentencing prompted strong reactions from victims’ families. One father argued that Tuck should serve twice the sentence, while a mother expressed her fears that he might reoffend, stating, “Tuck will come out and do the same thing again. I think they should lock him up and throw away the key.”

She added, “When my son told me, I was broken-hearted. He couldn’t settle and would lie awake at night and walk the floorboards. I feel guilty and keep asking myself, surely I should have known, I should have seen it. It just goes on and on.” Her hope now is that her son can find some peace, as long as Tuck remains distant from him. The community continues to grapple with the trauma caused by Tuck’s actions, and the case remains a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance and safeguarding vulnerable children.