Former scout leader, David Burland, has been found guilty of 33 sexual offences against children over a 23 year period. He has now been jailed for 15 years following sentencing at Taunton Crown Court earlier this year.
Burland worked in the scout movement in the Burnham and Highbridge area. The offences were committed between 1987 and November 2010 and include 18 counts of indecent assault, 9 counts of sexual activity with a child, 3 sexual assaults and one exposure.
Burland used alcohol and pornography to manipulate his victims. He threatened a number of boys by saying that he would spread a rumour that they were gay if they refused to engage in sexual activity with him.
The paedophile was exposed when he touched a girl in a wholly inappropriate way. The incident was witnessed by another woman and this lead to the criminal investigation which uncovered the abuse.