Former scout master and babysitter sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment for abusing young boys

Ian Silvester, a former Cub Scout leader, babysitter, paramedic and diving instructor, was convicted of 79 of the 84 charges he faced, including indecent assault and sexual activity with children. 

Silvester abused a number of young boys between 1986 and 2013, including in their own homes, yet denied his guilt on each of the 84 charges. Despite this, police investigators uncovered a wealth of digital evidence, including videos of the abuse which Silvester had produced, securing his conviction. 

During sentencing, Judge Christine Laing KC condemned him as a “paedophile hiding in plain sight”, noting how the abuse occurred openly and frequently.

Identifying Abuse: The Challenges in Ian Silvester’s Case

While the police clearly played a critical role in securing his conviction, using digital evidence and victim testimonies to piece together the full extent of his abuse, their investigation also highlights some of the gaps in how child abuse cases are handled. 

The delay in detecting Silvester's behaviour over decades could suggest that he was particularly discrete when conducting the abuse. However, owing to the widespread nature of the abuse carried out across multiple job roles, some evidence might arguably point to systemic failings. 

Nowhere is this perhaps clearer than the testimony of one mother who, during Silvester’s trial and sentencing, spoke of having caught Silvester alone with her young son in his room, who was dressed only in underpants. Silvester is believed to have been abusing the boy under the pretence of teaching him about first aid.

Preventing Abuse by Those in Trusted Roles
The vast majority of professionals who work with children do so out of sincere motivations. However, cases such as this highlight the urgent need for improved systems to prevent abuse by those few individuals who do seek to exploit their position of authority and their relationship of trust with a child. This is particularly clear in cases such as this, where traditional supervision structures, such as in social services or the education system, are not involved. 

Where non-governmental organisations that work with children, whether they be Scouting clubs, recreational centres, or self-employed carers and tutors, have a suspicion of abnormal and potentially abusive sexual behaviour occurring between adults and children, proactivity is key.  

This is so important because, while the police and Crown Prosecution Service can take steps to bring an offender to justice, it can be difficult to identify an abuser before the scale of their offences becomes widespread.

Reporting an instance of abuse to the police can therefore be a key step in preventing future exploitation. It can also open doors to compensation for your child, if they have been the victim of sexual abuse. The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (‘CICA’) operates a fund to compensate victims of violent crimes, including abuse. To learn more about how you can make a claim to the CICA, click here. 

How Our Firm Can Support Victims

We have the knowledge and experience to advise you on the available options for pursuing a Criminal Injuries Compensation claim or civil damages claim.