STEPHEN DAVIES, FORMER SCOUT LEADER FROM CARDIFF, SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE

In April 2008, Stephen Davies, a former scout leader from Newport, was sentenced to life imprisonment for sexually abusing a boy over a period of six years. Cardiff Crown Court was told that Davies exploited his position within the scouting organization to befriend and groom his young victim.

Davies, aged 48, pleaded guilty to ten charges of sexual abuse dating back to 1990 when his victim was just 11 years old. The court heard that Davies is already serving an indefinite prison sentence for raping a 13-year-old boy, and he has also spent seven years incarcerated for raping a girl under the age of 16.

Judge Neil Bidder remarked to Davies, “You are intelligent and cunning enough to groom your victims and join organizations that provide opportunities to meet young children. These current offences and your previous sexual offences make it clear you are a particularly dangerous paedophile with uncontrollable urges towards young boys and girls.”

The court learned that the latest offences occurred during a camping trip to Tintern Abbey in Monmouthshire, where Davies raped the 11-year-old boy. Prosecutor David Elias explained, “As the boy grew older, he tried to resist Davies, but if he did, he would be punched until he submitted. Davies was careful to avoid leaving bruises. The boy was emotionally blackmailed, with Davies saying, ‘if you don’t do it, you don’t love me,’ and threatening to kill him if he disclosed the abuse.”

The abuse only came to light when both of Davies’s now adult victims reported him to the police. He admitted to five charges of serious sexual assault, three counts of indecency with a child, as well as rape and indecent assault.

Judge Bidder stated, “These offences involved a gross breach of trust. Your victim was terrified of you. You used this child as a sexual toy and were jealous when he wanted to have a girlfriend. Sexual abuse became a part of his life.”