JOSEPH DELGADO SCOUT LEADER FROM EDGWARE SENTENCED FOR SEXUAL ABUSE OF TEENAGE BOYS

In December 2003, a tragic case of child sexual abuse involving Joseph Delgado, a former scout leader from Edgware, came to light, prompting a heartfelt plea from a mother whose son was among his victims. Delgado, aged 53 at the time, was found guilty of abusing two teenage boys during scout camping trips and overnight fundraising events roughly ten years prior, specifically in the mid-1990s.

According to court reports, Delgado used alcohol to manipulate and control the young boys, who were aged 14 and 15 at the time. One of the victims was awakened to find Delgado performing a sexual act upon him, an incident that left lasting scars. The mother of one of these boys expressed her relief that Delgado is now on the sexual offenders' register for life, emphasizing the importance of victims coming forward.

She urged other victims to seek help, stating, “If you have been abused in any way, tell someone. It doesn’t have to be your parents. My son went to some friends and then to the police.” She described her feelings of shock and upset upon discovering her son's ordeal but noted that her son has become happier since he found the courage to disclose the abuse. She explained that her son initially thought the inappropriate acts were part of the scout experience, believing that at 14, he could not distinguish between abuse and early sexual exploration, highlighting how confused and vulnerable teenagers can be.

Joseph Delgado, a resident of Riverdene, Edgware, was a respected figure in the community, having served as a schoolteacher and a scout leader for three decades. His roles included 16 years as assistant district commissioner for the Hendon and Edgware Scouts. Despite his long-standing involvement, Delgado’s reputation was shattered when he was convicted of four counts of indecent assault committed in 1995 and 1996. The court sentenced him to five years in prison on December 2 at Harrow Crown Court.

During the trial, Delgado denied the allegations, claiming that the boys had fabricated their stories or had dreamt the incidents. His emotional reaction was evident as he bowed his head and wept in front of his wife and daughter when the verdict was delivered. The court’s judgment underscored the gravity of his offenses, with Judge Roger Sanders condemning Delgado’s actions as a betrayal of the trust placed in him by the scout movement. The judge remarked, “A breach of trust of this kind permeates through the whole movement,” emphasizing the damage caused to the integrity of the organization.

Prosecutor Andrew Jackson highlighted that scout leaders are required to have separate sleeping arrangements to prevent such misconduct. He stated, “He was able to exercise considerable control over the boys in his care for his own sexual gratification.” Notably, charges of buggery against Delgado were dropped following his conviction for indecent assault. Delgado was also acquitted of two other assault charges involving different boys, with him claiming that one of these boys had been abused but not by him.

The mother of the 14-year-old victim expressed her disappointment with the Scout Association’s response, suggesting that more should have been done earlier. She said, “In the trial, things came out, like there would be a lot of drinking going on at camp. We got the impression from the trial that people from the Scout Association were aware that this was going on. Delgado was obviously disobeying the rules. I think the Scout Association should have acted sooner than that.”

Barry Manley, district commissioner for Hendon and Edgware Scouts, acknowledged the oversight, stating, “I was unaware of what was going on. Things were done quite discreetly.” He also mentioned that the organization has since implemented stricter measures, such as dividing age groups and prohibiting alcohol consumption during camps unless the event is specifically for adults aged 18 to 25. These changes aim to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future and to restore trust within the community.