PETER ATKINS SCOUT LEADER FROM DALKEITH SENTENCED FOR MOLESTATION OF TEENAGE BOYS IN EDINBURGH

In a case that has shocked the local community, Peter Atkins, a 25-year-old Scout leader from Dalkeith, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for the sexual abuse of four teenage boys who were members of his troop. The offences took place over a period spanning from 1990 to 1993, during which Atkins served as an assistant Scoutleader, a position that inherently carried a significant level of trust and responsibility.

Atkins appeared before Sheriff Iain Macphail QC at Edinburgh Sheriff Court to face the charges. The court was informed that Atkins had pleaded guilty to four counts of sexual assault involving boys aged 13, 14, 16, and 17. The offences were committed in various circumstances, with the victims often being asleep in the same room as Atkins. The seriousness of these crimes was underscored by the sheriff, who remarked, “These are serious offences, made all the more grave by the position of trust in which you were placed.”

During the proceedings, it was revealed that Atkins resided on Steele Avenue in Dalkeith. The court heard disturbing details of the assaults, including instances where Atkins touched the boys through their sleeping bags or underwear while they were sleeping. One particularly distressing incident involved a trip to a campsite near Dumfries, which was cut short after Atkins was caught molesting a teenage boy in their two-man tent. The boy, frightened, locked himself in Atkins’ car for the remainder of the night and insisted that Atkins drive him home the following morning.

Further testimony described how another victim was so traumatized that he could not speak about his ordeal for two months until confiding in his sister. Upon learning of her brother’s experience, she confronted Atkins, who denied any wrongdoing. The youngest victim exhibited behavioral problems following the abuse, prompting his mother to report the matter to the police. Investigations uncovered additional incidents, but Atkins refused to answer questions during police interviews, citing legal advice.

Despite Atkins’ plea for leniency, citing his Christian lifestyle and efforts to change, the court did not show mercy. His advocate, Mr. Raj Jandoo, argued that Atkins did not wish to be homosexual and had adopted a strict Christian lifestyle in an attempt to reform. However, the court was told that Atkins had sought psychiatric help prior to the revelations, but a psychiatric report indicated that he did not suffer from any treatable mental disorder.

Mr. Jandoo also explained that Atkins had been struggling with alcohol abuse due to problems at home, which he claimed had exacerbated his homosexual feelings. Since the incidents came to light, Atkins has ceased drinking, entered into a relationship with a girlfriend he hopes to marry, and is attending weekly counselling sessions with his pastor at the Christian Centres. Nevertheless, the court’s decision was firm, and Atkins was sentenced to serve 18 months behind bars for his crimes, a punishment that reflects the gravity of his offences and the breach of trust involved.