Ex-Scout leader jailed for sex offences

An ex-Scout leader has been jailed for five years for sex offences dating back to the 90s.

GRAHAM Avison, 76, from Audenshaw pleaded guilty to four counts of indecent assault at Minshull Street Crown Court and was sentenced to five years and seven months in jail.

The sexual abuse occurred over a four year period between 1991 and 1995.

Avison was a scout leader at the time and first met the victim through the Scouts when he was 12 years old and began to sexually abuse him from age 14.

He began grooming the victim with chocolate bars before eventually escalating to more expensive gifts such as a car.

Avison had a Catamaran boat which he moored in Wales and would frequently take the boy and others sailing, as well as on trips away to boat shows across the country, the court heard.

Following these trips, Avison and the boy would frequently stay over on the boat or in various hotels which is where the abuse would occur, as well as at Avison’s home address.

Detective Sergeant Wayne Marshall, of GMP’s Tameside division, said: “I would first and foremost like to thank the victim for coming forward. Their bravery throughout the entire investigation has resulted in a dangerous paedophile facing justice.

“Avison is a predator who abused his position of trust to groom the boy from a young age and sexually abuse him, which will leave psychological scars for the rest of his life.

“The exploitation of children is a top priority for GMP and we take reports of this nature very seriously. I would encourage anyone who has been the victim of this type of abuse to come forward and speak to police.”

Avison was also issued with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will be required to sign the sex offenders’ register.

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