Sexual abuse survivors of scout leader, speak out in court

Scout leader, Michael Costin, has been sentenced for more than 20 offences for sexually abusing scouts in Suffolk and Romford.

Four survivors of the serial paedophile spoke out at Snaresbrook Crown Court on the 23rd of July. A father of one of the survivors, who has died since the abuse, described his feelings by stating ‘I have absolute abhorrence towards this defendant. He will reoffend shall he be released back into society. Nothing will bring back our son, but a long sentence will provide us with an element of closure. ‘

Costin Appeared at Snaresbrook Crown Court in 2023 and admitted to the numerous sex offences dating back to the 1980s and the 1990s.

Other claimants had described the abuse by stating how damaging the situation has been on not just themselves but also their families as they have had to hear about it.

‘Seeing the hurt and guilt on their faces is devastating.’

Costin was sentenced to 15 years on the 24th of July. Detective Constable James Howlett, who led the investigation, said: “I am proud of the detailed investigative work that has gone into securing this sentence.

“We have worked through vast amounts of material including witness statements to evidence Costin’s offending, worked closely with victims across various locations in the UK including Essex, Suffolk and Northern Ireland, to carefully piece together timelines and accounts.

“Costin is a dangerous man with a deep history of abuse against children. The work we do every day helps to protect victims, secure justice and put people like him behind bars with the aim of making our community safer.”