DAVID PARSONS, SCOUT LEADER IN CARDIFF, WATCHED CHILD SEX ABUSE MATERIAL AND LISTED BOYS HE CARED FOR

In February 2011, a Scout leader named David Parsons, aged 29 and living in Cardiff, was implicated in serious misconduct related to child abuse images and inappropriate behavior. A court heard that Parsons, a university graduate and assistant retail manager who volunteered at Scout camps during his free time, had written 'inappropriate' comments next to a list of boys he cared for. Parsons was not sentenced to imprisonment but faced legal repercussions for viewing distasteful images and videos of children being sexually abused online.

The investigation was prompted when Parsons' partner, Adam Virgin, during a domestic disturbance, revealed Parsons' viewing of child pornography. Last March, Parsons had called the police from his home in Devon Place, Grangetown, Cardiff, seeking to have Virgin removed. Prosecutor Michael Jones explained at Cardiff Crown Court that Virgin presented officers with a camera and a disc drive, claiming they contained child pornography taken from Parsons’ laptop. Virgin expressed concern that Parsons was in contact with young boys and wanted him to leave the Scouts, but Parsons had refused.

At police stations, Parsons, who had no prior convictions, refused to answer questions initially, invoking a 'no comment' stance. However, he later admitted to 18 charges of making and possessing illegal images. An examination of his laptop and another computer seized from his residence uncovered distressing images of children being abused, including 86 still pictures and four videos. Most images were deemed less severe, but some fell into higher seriousness levels three and four out of five. Parsons confessed to deriving pleasure from these images.

Judge Christopher Llewellyn-Jones QC, who reviewed the evidence, described the images as 'not only distressing but disgusting,' emphasizing that each contained a victim. Authorities also found a list of names of children, which police deemed regarding due to Parsons’ 'inappropriate' comments written beside them. Nonetheless, investigations confirmed that none of these children had been abused. Police clarified that the listed names were of children Parsons had interacted with through Scouting activities.

Following sentencing, Parsons received a three-year community order coupled with intensive sex offender treatment. Under a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, he is prohibited from hosting children under 16 in his home or visiting their residences unless a parent is present. His internet use is restricted to work or study purposes, and he is barred from using any computer without installed anti-child-pornography software. Parsons will remain on the sex offenders' register for five years and is permanently barred from working or volunteering with children or vulnerable adults.

Defense lawyer Sarah Waters acknowledged Parsons’ responsibility in admitting to sexual gratification from such images. Simon Brownsill, a South Wales Scout movement field commissioner, informed the court that Parsons had been involved with the 20th Cardiff St Catherine’s Scout group from February 2000 until his suspension after arrest. His roles included badge work with Cubs, organizing games, supervising activities, and attending Scout events with boys aged 10 to 18. Parsons had also volunteered as a group contact for Scouts. The judge, noting Parsons’ intelligence and articulate nature, issued a stern warning upon his release: 'You will not be involved with scouting for the rest of your life.'