NICK THORPE, PORTSMOUTH SCOUT LEADER, SENTENCED TO 13 YEARS FOR ABUSE IN PORTSMOUTH

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the Portsmouth community, Nick Thorpe, a 48-year-old former Scout leader, has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed against two teenage boys. The crimes, which spanned nearly a decade from 1996 to 2005, involved the manipulation and abuse of vulnerable youths who were members of the Scout troop where Thorpe held a position of trust and authority.

Thorpe’s victims, both of whom were teenagers at the time, endured a series of traumatic experiences at his home, where he would often serve alcohol to them before subjecting them to sexual abuse. The first victim, now in his 30s, kept his ordeal hidden for many years, only revealing the truth during a heated argument with his mother. It was only after he saw a photograph of Thorpe, surrounded by young Scouts, published in The News in January of the previous year, that he decided to come forward and report the abuse.

The victim, who cannot be named due to legal restrictions, expressed a mixture of relief and lingering sadness. He stated, “I feel glad that he’s not on the streets any more. It happened a long time ago to me and I didn’t know there was another young man involved. That came out later. I’m still sad but I’m so glad that now it can’t happen to anybody else.” He recounted how he had kept the abuse secret for years, hiding the pain and trauma until the photograph prompted him to take action. “It’s been really difficult. I kept it to myself, hidden away for a long time. Then I saw a picture in the paper of him with children – I hadn’t realised he was still a Scout leader. My mum showed it to me. I was gobsmacked. I didn’t know what to do. It preyed on my mind, I knew I had to say something.”

Initially, he hesitated to involve the authorities, citing embarrassment and fear of disbelief. “I hadn’t gone to the police before. It was embarrassing. I didn’t think anyone would believe anything. I didn’t tell my mum straight away. We had a row and it came out a few years ago,” he explained.

The second victim, also a minor at the time, was subjected to similar abuse, which included indecent assault and gross indecency. Both victims had been members of the same Scout group, where Thorpe served as a trusted leader for approximately 27 years. His position of responsibility was exploited to facilitate the abuse, according to the court.

Judge Roger Hetherington, presiding over the case, sentenced Thorpe at Portsmouth Crown Court. He emphasized the betrayal of trust involved in the crimes, stating, “The offences on the whole relate to two adolescent boys, who had been Scouts in a Scout troop where you had been the leader. That was how you came to know them, and you had been a Scout leader, someone of responsibility within the movement for some 27 years. But you used that in relation to these two boys to abuse them for your own sexual gratification.”

As part of his sentence, Thorpe has been placed on the sex offenders’ register, reflecting the severity of his crimes and the ongoing concern for public safety. The case has left a lasting impact on the community and serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding vulnerable individuals within organizations of trust.