JASON WIGGINS FROM COVENTRY BANNED FOR LIFE AFTER SCOUT LEADER TRIES TO PERSUADE TEENAGE BOYS TO PERFORM SEX ACTS
In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the Coventry community, Jason Wiggins, a former Scout leader, has been found guilty of attempting to manipulate two 15-year-old boys into engaging in sexual acts with him.The incident, which took place in the vicinity of Coventry, has raised serious concerns about the safety and oversight of youth organizations in the area.
Wiggins, aged 35 and residing on Hockley Lane in Upper Eastern Green, appeared before Warwick Crown Court to face charges related to his inappropriate conduct.
He pleaded guilty to two counts of inciting children to participate in sexual activity.
Despite the gravity of his actions, the judge decided against imposing a custodial sentence, citing concerns that imprisonment might increase the risk he poses to children in the future.
Instead, Wiggins was sentenced to a community order that includes three years of supervision.
As part of his sentence, he is required to participate in a sex offenders’ group work program and must register as a sex offender for a period of five years.
The court’s decision underscores the importance of ongoing monitoring and intervention to prevent further harm.
The case came to light in March of the previous year when the mother of one of the boys, a member of a Scout group in Coleshill, discovered concerning messages on her son’s Facebook page and mobile phone.
These messages, sent by Wiggins, included requests for the boy to perform a mutual sex act.
The mother’s vigilance prompted police involvement, leading to an investigation that uncovered a series of messages of a sexual nature from Wiggins.
Further inquiries revealed that Wiggins had engaged in similar online chats with another teenage boy.
The second boy later described feeling shocked and creeped out by Wiggins’ propositions, according to prosecutor Mr.
Wilkins.
When Wiggins was arrested, he admitted to knowing the boys through his involvement with the Scouts but claimed he did not intend to carry out any physical acts.
Instead, he suggested that the messages served to help him with his own sexual needs.
During the court proceedings, Wiggins’ defense lawyer, Richard Bond, argued that the offences were relatively minor because there was no physical contact involved.
Bond also highlighted Wiggins’ personal circumstances, noting that he sees his two children twice a month for four hours and expressed concern about his strained relationship with his newborn son.
Bond described Wiggins as a man filled with remorse and regret for his actions.
Judge Sylvia de Bertodano addressed Wiggins directly, emphasizing the breach of trust inherent in his conduct.
She stated, “While in many ways you may have carried out your responsibilities very well, what you are here for is an abuse of that position because you used it to become over-friendly with two of the boys you came into contact with.” The judge explained that although she could have sentenced him to prison, doing so might have posed a greater danger to children due to the lack of intervention.
To further protect the public, the court imposed a sexual offences prevention order.
This order prohibits Wiggins from communicating with any child under 16 via the internet, except for his own children.
It also mandates that any device he owns with internet access must retain details of his online activity, which he is forbidden from deleting.
These measures aim to prevent any future attempts at exploitation and ensure ongoing supervision of Wiggins’ online behavior.
