EDDIE GRAHAM AND SHOCKING CHILD SEX ABUSE IN MIDDLESEX AND BERLIN

A man identified as Eddie Graham has been sentenced to a significant prison term of 13 years after being found guilty of committing a series of 23 sexual offences against children. The crimes took place during the 1980s while Graham was stationed at the RAF Gatow base located in Berlin, Germany. His position as a former RAF intelligence officer and his active role as a scout leader on the base provided him with access to vulnerable boys, many of whom were under 13 years old. Graham exploited his authority and the facilities available to him, including RAF buildings and adjoining land, to commit these disturbing acts.

The allegations first surfaced publicly in 2003, when one of Graham's former scouts lodged a complaint with the police. Several years later, in 2012, the same individual approached a different police authority with similar concerns. Given that all of the offences were committed by a serving RAF member on a military base abroad, the case was transferred to the RAF Police for investigation. Subsequently, Graham, who had since retired from the Royal Air Force, was tried in a court martial, rather than in a civilian court.

Graham was not only a senior member of the scouting community but had also had the opportunity to meet Prince Charles in 1985. His victims were exclusively boys aged between five and 14 years old and were all children of military personnel serving either at the RAF Gatow base or nearby. Graham was apprehended in January 2013, during which he admitted to assaulting nine of the boys but denied any involvement in the other four cases.

The court heard statements from 13 victims, each recounting the profound and lasting impact of Graham’s abuse. One survivor conveyed that they were unable to maintain serious relationships, felt perpetual fear and vulnerability, and dealt with recurring nightmares and flashbacks. Another described how the trauma contributed to a rebellious phase, trouble with law enforcement, and feeling overwhelmed by guilt at the age of 42. A different victim, who was diagnosed bipolar and questioned their sexuality as a child, expressed pain and anger, stating that Graham's actions would never leave them, and calling for justice.

During the court martial proceedings at the Military Court Centre in Bulford, Wiltshire, a number of middle-aged men who had been scouts during their youth gave evidence. Their testimonies revealed that many of the assaults occurred during scouting weekends held at the base, often within a large, barrack-like building known as Wilson’s Retreat, or in tents set up nearby.

Graham contested the allegations, claiming that the victims who testified had either misidentified him or fabricated their stories over time. Nonetheless, the court found sufficient evidence to convict him. The case attracted significant attention because it represents one of the largest cases of historical child sexual abuse involving the UK’s armed forces. It has also sparked calls for an inquiry into institutional abuse within the military, a step supported by Home Secretary Theresa May.

Before the sentence was handed down, victim impact statements were read aloud in court. One victim described Graham as a “disgusting predator,” highlighting the deep emotional scars left behind. BBC correspondent Duncan Kennedy noted that this case stands out as the most extensive historical child sex abuse case involving the UK’s military forces.

As part of his sentence, Graham will be subject to lifelong inclusion on the sex offenders register. Following the sentencing, the RAF issued a statement urging anyone who has been victimized or possesses information related to sex crimes to come forward and report it in confidence by calling the RAF Police at 0239 2285 170, reinforcing its commitment to safeguarding and justice.