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Freemason accused of indecent assault alleges conspiracy - says he was only concerned with ensuring boys proper hygene





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The Scotsman
http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=3625386

Thu 14 Oct 2004

Ex-Scout Leader Denies Indecently Assaulting Boys

By Tim Walsh, PA News

An elderly former Scout leader accused of indecently assaulting five boys claimed today he is the victim of a “hate campaign”.

Trevor Richardson was awarded an MBE in 1998 for services to Scouting in Northamptonshire after 40 years as district commissioner of the Kettering Scouts Association.

But the former magistrate stands accused of using his position as leader of a Scout group to abuse five boys, aged between 11 and 16, during a six-year period from 1966 to 1972.

Richardson, 69, of Delamere Drive, Barton Seagrave, Northamptonshire, denies five counts of indecent assault.

His accusers, now in their late 40s, came forward following a recent meeting between the defendant and one of the men at a social gathering.

A jury at Leicester Crown Court has previously heard allegations that Richardson carried out acts of indecency against the boys during first aid lessons and rehearsals for a gang show.

Today, it heard the defendant describe those accusations as lies.

Giving evidence, Richardson, a freemason, said: “I personally think it’s been orchestrated by one of them, I’m not mentioning any names.

“It’s a big hate campaign. Why did all these people stay in the Scout movement for such a long time ? Why did they come back and help on a Scout camp if they were that disgusted with it ?

“I kept trying to think why this is happening. Why have I had 12 months of absolute hell ?”

The jury was told police examinations of the defendant’s computer had found no evidence of paedophilia.

When asked by David Williams QC, defending, if there was any basis for the alleged victims’ claims, Richardson replied: “No basis whatsoever.”

He added: “I can see why youth organisations can’t get anyone to take children on trips because of this sort of thing.”

The trial continues.




The Scotsman
http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=3616350

Tue 12 Oct 2004

Scout Master Abused Boy in Storeroom, Court Told

By Tim Walsh, PA News

A scout master indecently assaulted boys while pretending to teach them first aid, a court was told today.

Former magistrate Trevor Richardson was awarded an MBE in 1998 for services to scouting in Northamptonshire after 40 years as district commissioner of the Kettering Scouts Association.

But between 1966 and 1972 he allegedly used his position as leader of a church-based scout group to abuse five boys, a jury at Leicester Crown Court was told.

The 69-year-old freemason, of Delamere Drive, Barton Seagrave, Northamptonshire, denies five counts of indecent assault against former members of the Kettering group.

His accusers, now in their late 40s, came forward after a recent confrontation between the defendant and one of the men at a social gathering.

Prosecutor Felicity Gerry said the boys were aged between 11 and 16 when the defendant committed acts of indecency against them during first aid practice and preparations for their annual gang show.

In all other respects he was a pillar of the community,” she said. “Nevertheless, there are other men who will testify that there was a dark side.”

The court heard one of the alleged victims describe how Richardson lured him into a storeroom one Saturday morning, saying he had to take part in a test for his first aid badge.

Giving evidence in court, the alleged victim said: “I was there to do a badge and I can remember Trevor Richardson sat on this table as he went in and he asked me to sit next to him.

“The conversation started around cleanliness and very quickly seemed to change to reproduction.”

The 49-year-old then described how the defendant carried out an act of indecency on him before they were interrupted by a knock on the door by a fellow scout leader.

Defending, David Williams QC said the alleged victim had imagined the assault after conversations with his co-accusers.

“It never happened,” he said in cross examination. “Is it not possible that a perfectly normal test has been ascribed in your memory as indecent?”

The trial continues.


Further Reading:

Pillars of the Community