A paedophile former scout leader has described prison as 'hell' after having his jail term doubled for further historical sex offences. Stuart May, aged 82, was originally sentenced to eight years and nine months in 2023 for 11 offences against four boys in the 1970s, when he was a scout leader in Sutton Coldfield. He preyed upon his victims in his car, on trips, and at the scout hut.
Further Victims Come Forward
Since his initial conviction, three more victims have come forward. Despite May confessing to his earlier crimes, he forced the latest complainants to endure a trial. A jury found him guilty of six charges of indecent assault on a male and two counts of indecency with a child. Some attacks occurred at his home, others in his scout office, and at a public swimming pool.
Sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court
At Birmingham Crown Court on Thursday, June 18, May received an additional eight-year sentence, to run consecutively to his previous term. May, most recently of Leicestershire, had expected a move to an open prison with possible release in November next year, but that is now quashed.
One victim, subject to five of the latest offences, said May had 'destroyed so many young lives'. He recalled blaming himself for the abuse and feared he would go to hell due to his religious upbringing. He told May he would be remembered as a child abuser and paedophile.
Prosecution and Defence Statements
Peter Glenser, prosecuting, said May groomed the boys and abused his position of trust. He described May's demeanour at trial as showing 'precious little insight into his offending and into the devastation he has reaped on the lives of young children'.
Sharon Bailey, defending, confirmed May is married and both are fortunate to have no serious health issues. She said: 'He is painfully aware his wife has been left on her own and the sentence passed today may mean he never leaves custody.' She added that serving a prison sentence at his age has been 'particularly difficult'. Currently at HMP Birmingham, May describes the experience as 'nothing short of hell'.
Judge's Remarks
Judge Roderick Henderson, passing sentence, told May: 'This is the most obvious case of grooming and abuse of a position as a scout master who was trusted in the community. It was made worse by manipulating those boys to keep quiet, telling them they would be in trouble if they let anyone know what you had done to them.' He added that May told 'a lot of lies' in the trial, but one truthful statement was that he 'didn't give those boys much thought at all until the chickens came home to roost'.
