Bedford Scout leader caught with ‘extreme pornographic images’ given 18 month community order


A Bedford scout leader, caught with child sex abuse and extreme pornographic images, has been given an 18 month community order and a £500 fine.
Alan Sewell, who had been involved with the scouts and cubs for 30 years, was arrested after he had uploaded a picture to the internet.
He must now register as a sex offender and abide by the terms of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years.
Police raided the married 65-year-old’s home on 14 September 2017 and seized a Dell laptop and other computer devices, Luton crown court heard
Prosecutor Fern Russell said investigators found a total of 55 images; nine movies and five stills were at Category A, the most serious level.
There was one movie and eight stills at Category B and 26 Category C stills. In addition, there were six images of extreme pornography.
Ms Russell said most of the images were of male and female children aged between 10 and 12.
The extreme pornographic images were of women having sex with animals.
When interviewed last year, Sewell told the police he had been involved in the scouts for over 30 years and had been a leader of a cub group.
He said he had not looked at child abuse images since the 2017 raid.
Sewell of Aldburgh Close, Bedford appeared for sentence via Skype having pleaded guilty to making (downloading) Category A, B and C images of children and possessing extreme pornography.
Judge Rebecca Herbert said he had “developed an unhealthy attraction to children.”
She said, “You are 65 and for many years had volunteered to work with the scouts, latterly as a leader.”
The judge passed an 18 month community order with a condition that he attends 30 rehabilitation activity days and pays a £500 fine. He must register as a sex offender and abide by the terms of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 10 years.