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| Ex-scoutmaster Martyn Tucker jailed for sex attacks | |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A former scoutmaster who admitted 26 sex offences against boys in the 1960s and 1970s has been jailed for 12 years. | A former scoutmaster who admitted 26 sex offences against boys in the 1960s and 1970s has been jailed for 12 years. |
| Martyn Tucker, 68, of Chester, was also put on the sex offenders' register for life, Mold Crown Court heard. | Martyn Tucker, 68, of Chester, was also put on the sex offenders' register for life, Mold Crown Court heard. |
| He previously admitted five counts of serious sexual assault, 12 of indecent assault and nine charges of indecency with a child. | He previously admitted five counts of serious sexual assault, 12 of indecent assault and nine charges of indecency with a child. |
| The court was told the scout movement knew of the allegations, but never told the police. | The court was told the scout movement knew of the allegations, but never told the police. |
| It was informed of the attacks in the 1970s and took statements from a number of boys, which were uncovered from the scout's headquarters last year. | It was informed of the attacks in the 1970s and took statements from a number of boys, which were uncovered from the scout's headquarters last year. |
| 'Changing rooms' | |
| Tucker abused scouts while he was assistant scoutmaster of Shropshire's Whitchurch scout troop. | Tucker abused scouts while he was assistant scoutmaster of Shropshire's Whitchurch scout troop. |
| He also abused others while the manager of a clothes shop in the town, taking boys into the shop's changing rooms. | |
| The court heard Tucker preyed on victims in Bristol, where he instructed them to perform sex acts with another man. | |
| And while on a canoeing weekend in Llangollen, Denbighshire, he was joined by an unknown primary school teacher who also carried out sex acts on victims. | And while on a canoeing weekend in Llangollen, Denbighshire, he was joined by an unknown primary school teacher who also carried out sex acts on victims. |
| The court was told Tucker visited a farm at Pontybodkin, Flintshire, owned by a member of the defendant's family, and abused scouts there. | The court was told Tucker visited a farm at Pontybodkin, Flintshire, owned by a member of the defendant's family, and abused scouts there. |
| Judge Niclas Parry said there had been "a deliberate, calculated, sophisticated grooming process" to fulfil his "thirst for excitement" at the expense of his victims. | Judge Niclas Parry said there had been "a deliberate, calculated, sophisticated grooming process" to fulfil his "thirst for excitement" at the expense of his victims. |
| "You created safe locations to offend against them, you exploited your power for your own sexual gratification, and showed a total disregard for their physical and psychological well being," said Judge Parry. | "You created safe locations to offend against them, you exploited your power for your own sexual gratification, and showed a total disregard for their physical and psychological well being," said Judge Parry. |
| "You arranged to be alone with them out of reach of those who could ensure their safety." | "You arranged to be alone with them out of reach of those who could ensure their safety." |
| 'Destroyed their childhood' | 'Destroyed their childhood' |
| Det Insp Neil Harrison, of North Wales Police, said: "Martyn Tucker, in his capacity as a scout leader, was someone who held a position of trust. | Det Insp Neil Harrison, of North Wales Police, said: "Martyn Tucker, in his capacity as a scout leader, was someone who held a position of trust. |
| "Young boys were left in his care at an age when they were vulnerable and at that time they placed their complete trust in him. | "Young boys were left in his care at an age when they were vulnerable and at that time they placed their complete trust in him. |
| "Tucker abused that trust and in doing so destroyed their childhood and left them with memories that they have been forced to live with since. | "Tucker abused that trust and in doing so destroyed their childhood and left them with memories that they have been forced to live with since. |
| "It is now hoped that the victims can take some comfort from the fact that Tucker has been held to account for his actions many years ago." | "It is now hoped that the victims can take some comfort from the fact that Tucker has been held to account for his actions many years ago." |
| During his police interview, Tucker said: "I have been waiting for this, particularly since the Jimmy Savile stuff came out. | During his police interview, Tucker said: "I have been waiting for this, particularly since the Jimmy Savile stuff came out. |
| "I hoped it would never happen but I knew that one day it would. I deeply regret what I did then. I have lived with it. I ruined my life and I ruined others." | "I hoped it would never happen but I knew that one day it would. I deeply regret what I did then. I have lived with it. I ruined my life and I ruined others." |
| The offences date from 1968 to 1978 when he worked as a scoutmaster. | The offences date from 1968 to 1978 when he worked as a scoutmaster. |