November 2006 Outrage as pervert is freed THERE was outrage today after a pervert Scout leader who preyed on young boys avoided a jail sentence. David Sladdin, 42,  of Catherine Street, Elland who was leader of the 7th Elland Scouts before becoming a district commissioner in 1997, admitted two charges of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child. Bradford Crown Court heard he was cautioned for a similar offence 11 years ago but continued to work in a position of trust with the movement for a further seven years until his record came to light through a Criminal Records Bureau check – forcing him to resign in 2002. Yesterday, he escaped with a three-year community order for 150 hours and a six-month curfew order between the hours of 8pm and 8am. When informed of the sentence, Coun Bob Thompson (Lib Dem, Elland) said: “That is outrageous. I am absolutely stunned and speechless. “I would have expected custody – the punishment should fit the crime. I am not a member of the hang ’em and shoot ’em brigade but it should be reflected in the sentence.” The court heard Sladdin, who was involved with the Scouts for more than 20 years, met two boys, aged 11 and 13, in a shop and on October 22 met them again by the canalside in Sowerby Bridge. Sladdin produced a pornographic magazine and indulged in a sexual act as the schoolboys stood by. The incident was witnessed by a man working in a nearby office who alerted the police and Sladdin was arrested. When passing sentence, Judge Linda Sutcliffe, told Sladdin: “These were disgusting offences made more serious by the fact you had previously been cautioned for an offence “One’s gut reaction is this calls for an immediate custodial sentence. I have absolutely no doubt there will be members of the public who, quite justifiably, feel that would be the appropriate sentence.” But she said the offences were not the most serious of their kind and said work needs to be done with Sladdin to “address whatever it is that attracts him to little boys.” Sladdin was banned from working with children indefinitely, put on the Sex Offender’s Register for five years, ordered to take part in the West Yorkshire Probation Service sex offender’s treatment programme and was told to pay 220 costs. Chris Foster, a spokesman for the Scout Association, called for Sladdin to be jailed earlier this week but yesterday went back on his statement. He said: “Obviously he has gone through the judicial process. He is no longer a member of the Scout Association and therefore it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the sentence.” Acting Det Insp Gary Stephenson said: “The message is clear, we will continue to investigate those, like Sladdin, who commit these despicable offences while preying on the innocence of children.”