Hove ex-scout leader found guilty of sexually abusing boys

Ian Silvester, 60, abused the boys during his time as a scout leader, a babysitter and a first aid trainer from the 1980s over around 30 years.

He was also a paediatric nurse in Sussex, Surrey and Kent before being struck off the register in 2013 over questions regarding his conduct with patients.

Silvester, of Locks Hill in Portslade, has been found guilty of 79 different counts against 19 boys, including 44 indecent assaults, four sexual assaults, 25 counts of sexual activity with a child, two counts of causing a child to engage in sexual activity, two counts of sexual activity with a child under 13 and two counts of making an indecent image of a child.

Judge Christine Laing KC described Silvester as a “paedophile in plain sight preying on these young people”.

She said: "The sentences for the individual offences may be short but the overall sentence will not be.

“Many of them who were trying to shrug it off will now be feeling differently.

READ MORE: 'Large amount' of images of young boys found on ex scout leader's devices, court told

"These offences condemn the victims to a life sentence.

"While they may not be the worst offending, it doesn't make the impact any less."

During the trial at Lewes Crown Court, a jury heard how Silvester touched and tickled the young boys in a practice he called “jungle treatment”.

The boys reported being laid on their backs with their tops removed, while Silvester tickled and stroked their chests, sometimes on top of them and using objects, including feathers and ice cubes.

Data, made up of pictures and videos of young boys and males often in speedos, for example wrestling or being tickled, was found on Ian Silvester’s devices by police amounting to 14 terabytes across 34 devices.

Images shown to the court filmed by Silvester include young boys diving at a swimming pool, with a “focus on the genital area”, the prosecution said, and a video of a young boy mowing the grass without a top on in what appears to be a back garden.

READ MORE: 'Vulnerable' boys and young men were 'groomed' by first aid trainer, court hears

In a cross examination at Lewes Crown Court, prosecutor Lesley Bates questioned Silvester, of Locks Hill in Portslade, on his internet searches for "boys".

He said: “Boy is a clothing brand men wear, football managers talk about the boys.

“You’ve got pop groups. Pet Shop Boys are adults.

“The word boy does not mean child. They are adults.”

In response to being asked if he “liked looking at photos of little boys”, Silvester said, “no, it just reminds me of happier times”.

Silvester also said the touching and tickling of the boys was “just silliness” and that he was a “people pleaser”.

READ MORE: Man says scout leader abused him during first aid training

The court heard that in an email exchange, Silvester boasted that his role as a first aid trainer acted as a “perfect cover” for the abuse, during which time he paid the boys under the guise of acting as casualties for first aid demonstrations. 

He also abused boys while babysitting them in their own homes after gaining the trust of their families.

On one occasion, the mother of one boy found Silvester with her son stripped down to his underwear in an upstairs bedroom.

Ms Bates said: “These boys were groomed into that environment.

“Creating the environment in which everything seemed to be fun.

“Very often these boys were vulnerable.”

One victim described Silvester to police as “like a father figure to him” and “someone he trusted”.

Silvester denied the offences as well as a sexual interest in boys.

He is due to be sentenced on February 7. 

Detective Constable Nicky Beard of Sussex Police said: “Ian Silvester’s behaviour and lifestyle displays a clear, sexual interest in young boys that he proactively pursued with no regard for the harm he caused.

“The quantity of victims and charges brought against him show a committed offender who has betrayed the trust of all the positions of responsibility he has held.

“Each of the victims has shown admirable courage to support the investigation against Silvester, and I would like to thank each of them for their support.

“If you are a victim of sexual offending, no matter how long ago, please report it to the police online, via 101 or by calling 999 in an emergency.

"You will be believed and supported, and we will do all we can to get you justice."

Emma Lile, specialist prosecutor for the CPS, said: “Ian Silvester’s crimes are particularly disturbing given the various roles he held over many years where he was entrusted with the responsibility of caring for and safeguarding children. 
 
“He abused these positions in the worst possible way and took advantage of young boys. Silvester tried to claim that what he was doing was innocent, denying that his behaviour was sexually motivated.

"However, the prosecution was able to piece together a large amount of evidence which refuted these claims and present it to a jury who saw through his lies and found him guilty.
 
“Silvester’s offending has had a lasting impact on the victims in this case and I would like to commend them all for speaking about what happened to them, it is because of their bravery in giving evidence that we have been able to bring this sex offender to justice. 
 
“I hope this conviction sends a clear message that the CPS, working with law enforcement, will relentlessly pursue justice and prosecute those who sexually exploit children, whenever that abuse has taken place.”