Ex-Scout leader from Ipswich sentenced over secret filming

Ian Butcher admitted filming children while they undressed

A former Scout leader has been jailed for 20 months for voyeurism and making indecent images of children.

Ian Butcher, 55, from Ipswich, pleaded guilty to four offences in connection with the illegal filming of children and adults.

The incidents took place between November 2018 and June 2020, and related to eight victims aged between 12 and 32.

In an impact statement, one victim said: "It'll stay with me forever."

The court heard Butcher, who had no previous convictions, had been involved in the Scout movement since he was a child and became a Scout leader in 2018.

The case came to light after a girl, who had spotted a camera in a changing cubicle, came forward to the police about two years later.

'Position of trust'

Butcher admitted filming six children while they were getting undressed in the changing rooms, and two adults while they were showering.

He also made 16 indecent images of the children by taking screenshots from the videos.

The victim impact statement continued: "The deception and betrayal by this man has shaken and scared me. I cannot shower without checking the doors are locked.

"He's taken away my dignity. My life won't be the same."

Judge David Wilson told Butcher: "You were in a position of trust which you used to commit these offences and which call for a deterrent sentence."

Ian Butcher's defence counsel "no words of apology can repair the harm he's done"

At Ipswich Crown Court, he was sentenced to 16 months in jail for taking indecent images of children and two months for making indecent images, to run concurrently, and an additional four months for two counts of voyeurism.

Solicitor advocate Rod Hayley, speaking in Butcher's defence, told the court his client was "deeply shamed" by his actions and the lasting impact caused by such a breach of trust in him.

"No words of apology can repair the harm he's done," added Mr Hayley.

A statement from the Scout Association read: "The safety of young people in our care is our number one priority and we condemn the crimes committed by Mr Butcher."

It added that Butcher would never be able to volunteer with the Scout movement again, stating: "There is no place in the organisation for anyone who behaves in this way.

"He betrayed the trust of the organisation and the trust put in him by young people and parents."

Butcher will have to serve a minimum of 10 months before he is considered for release under licence.