Sussex Scout Leader jailed

Former Scout Leader Daniel Williams from Hassocks, West Sussex, was sentenced to six years imprisonment at Lewes Crown Court on 9^th October 2023 for the abuse of a young female member of the Scouts. 

Williams appeared for sentencing having previously admitted the offence of sexual assault by penetration of a girl under the age of 13.

Williams, 51, was said to have preyed on the young girl in his role as the girl’s Scout Leader.   He also admitted three separate counts of possessing indecent images of children.  The court sentenced Williams to a term of five years in prison and an additional year on licence to make a six-year sentence in total.   This means that Williams will not be subject to the usual automatic release halfway through his sentence and will serve the full five years in prison.   Williams was also made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and has been placed on the Sex Offenders Register for life.

Speaking after the sentencing Detective Constable Dan Griffiths of Sussex Police said “Daniel Williams is a dangerous offender who used his trusted position to enable his offending.”  He went on to say “Sussex Police would like to extend their gratitude to the Scouts Association for fully co-operating with our enquiries and helping to support the victim and her family.”

David Hawkins a specialist in child and adult abuse compensation law with Biscoes said “As this case shows, the issue of abuse in the Scouts is not just a historic one and I have spoken to people, increasingly women, who say they were abused in relatively recent times.  As the statement from the Police in this case shows, The Scout Association are increasingly focussed on safeguarding, but speaking as a former Scout, I believe more work needs to be done if it is to promote a culture where children can be safe from people, like Williams, who abuse their position of trust.” 

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