Ian Silvester, a 60-year-old former Scout leader from Locks Hill, has been sentenced to 22 years in prison for committing dozens of child sex offences over a span of 25 years. Silvester, who held various positions that gave him unsupervised access to children, was found guilty of multiple charges at Lewes Crown Court.
Silvester’s roles included being a Scout leader, children’s nurse, St John’s Ambulance worker, diving instructor, first aid trainer, babysitter, and a registered nurse. He was struck off by the Nursing and Midwifery Council in 2015.
Between 1986 and 2011, Silvester sexually assaulted 19 boys, often under the guise of ‘first aid training.’ His arrest led to the discovery of digital devices containing over two million media articles suggesting a sexual interest in young boys, including 68 indecent images of children.
Silvester faced 44 counts of indecent assault, 25 counts of non-penetrative sexual activity with a child, and several other charges. He was found guilty on all counts on November 20 and sentenced on February 7. He will serve 16 years in custody and an additional six years on extended license.
Judge Christine Laing described Silvester as “the very definition of a paedophile hiding in plain sight” and highlighted the immense psychological harm caused to his victims. Investigator Nicky Beard praised the courage of the victims and their families, urging other victims of sexual abuse to come forward.
