Former scout leader jailed for sexual abuse (From Bridgwater Mercury)

Former scout leader jailed for sexual abuse

12:56pm Friday 10th February 2012 in News

A FORMER scout leader has been jailed for 15 years after he was found guilty of sexually abusing children over a 23-year period-.

David James Burland, 54, of Ramsay Way, Burnham, abused three boys and girl between November 1987 and November 2010.

He was found guilty of all 33 counts of sexual abuse at Taunton Crown Court following a two week trial earlier this month.

Sentencing, Judge Graham Hume Jones said: “There was evidence of grooming – giving alcohol and showing pornographic films, distancing the children from their parents by suggesting their parents didn’t love them and threats if they told anyone.”

He said the only mitigating factors were the effect this would have on Burland’s family and his health.

Burland had denied the allegations, saying they were a ‘conspiracy’ against him.

Burland’s defence solicitor Rebecca Bradbury asked if he could go downstairs while the sentencing details were read out so he would be more comfortable as he was suffering from high blood pressure.

Judge Jones said he feared Burland would still be a danger to the public on his release and made a Sexual Offenders Prevention Order and ordered him to sign on the sexual offenders’ register.

He also ordered a six year extension period to take effect when Burland is released on licence, which is expected to be in around seven years.