CLIFTON FAIRHURST OF LEICESTER JAILED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF BOY SCOUT IN THE 1960S

In a case that has spanned over five decades, Clifford Fairhurst, an 80-year-old former scout leader from Leicester, has been sentenced to seven years in prison for the sexual abuse of a young boy during the 1960s. The offences, which occurred half a century ago, were brought to light after a jury at Leicester Crown Court found him guilty of multiple counts of indecent assault and indecency with a child.

Fairhurst, who resided on Noble Street in Leicester at the time of his trial, vehemently denied the allegations, asserting that nothing inappropriate had ever taken place. Despite his denial, the court heard detailed testimony from the victim, now a retired police officer with three decades of service. The victim described himself as a naive child at the time, unaware that he was being subjected to abuse.

The court proceedings revealed that the abuse was systematic and prolonged, spanning approximately two years. The victim recounted that Fairhurst, who served as a scoutmaster in Leicester, would often isolate him after scout meetings, engaging in activities like hide-and-seek or murder mystery games in the dark. During these times, Fairhurst would inappropriately touch him, including placing his hand down the boy’s shorts. These incidents reportedly occurred at least a dozen times.

Additional abuse took place at Vestry Street Swimming Baths in Leicester, where Fairhurst allegedly assaulted the boy on around 10 to 12 occasions within a cubicle while helping him dry off. The victim believed these acts were part of a game and felt privileged that the scoutmaster treated him in such a manner, unaware that it was wrong. Further abuse was also reported to have happened in a scout tent in Ireland, adding to the gravity of the case.

Prosecutor Philip Gibbs explained that as the victim grew older, he became more aware of the wrongfulness of the acts but initially chose to continue with his life. It was only in 2014, after watching a television programme about high-profile sexual abuse cases involving celebrities, that he was prompted to confide in his wife. This revelation marked a turning point in the case, leading to the eventual conviction.

Judge Simon Hammond addressed the court, emphasizing that the impact of sexual abuse can persist for decades. He stated, “No-one should minimise the legacy of sexual abuse, even after 50 years; the pain was still there. It was still buried there and like a volcano it came before him again.” The judge highlighted the trust placed in Fairhurst as a scoutmaster, noting that the boy’s family had entrusted him with their son’s care. He condemned Fairhurst’s actions, stating, “There are no mitigating features. The defendant didn’t even have the moral courage to plead guilty and he denied doing anything wrong – he lied.”

Judge Hammond expressed hope that the victim could find some solace in the jury’s verdict and suggested that this acknowledgment might help him move forward with his life. The defense, represented by Clive Stockwell, argued that the court should consider Fairhurst’s advanced age, health, and the fact that he had already served a lengthy sentence in 2005 for crimes committed many years after these offences. However, the court’s focus remained on the gravity of the crimes committed in Leicester during the 1960s, which have left a lasting scar on the victim’s life.