REG WATERS: CHILD ABUSER FROM ETON AND LEYTON ESCAPES JAIL AFTER 14 YEARS OF HORRIFIC ABUSE

In a disturbing case that spans decades, Reg Waters, a 77-year-old man from Leyton, east London, has narrowly avoided serving additional prison time despite a lengthy history of child abuse. Waters, who was once involved with the Eton Manor Running Club, was convicted of multiple sexual offenses against young boys, with his crimes dating back to the 1970s.

Waters’s heinous acts include molesting a nine-year-old boy over a period of four years, from 1974 to 1978. The victim, now in his 40s, bravely testified that Waters gained his trust through seemingly innocent activities such as taking him on fishing trips and engaging in recreational outings. These outings, which took place in Leyton, east London, often served as a prelude to the abuse, which occurred both at Waters’s home—specifically in his lounge and bedroom—and during trips outside.

It was revealed that Waters had previously served an eight-year prison sentence for abusing five other boys between 1978 and 1992. Despite this, he continued to prey on children, demonstrating a disturbing pattern of predatory behavior that persisted over many years.

The case gained further attention in July 2002 when Waters, then 67, was convicted at the Old Bailey of abusing young boys while volunteering at the Eton Manor Running Club. During the sentencing, Waters expressed a bizarre sentiment, thanking Judge David Paget for the eight-year sentence and claiming that he “likes being in prison.”

Judge Paget delivered a stern warning about the lasting impact of such crimes, stating, “The real harm that offences like these do to young boys affects them for the rest of their lives.” The judge acknowledged that Waters exhibited some positive traits, noting that “four of the complainants themselves readily accept” that he was helpful and enjoyed assisting others. However, he emphasized the seriousness of Waters’s offenses, describing him as immature and child-like, yet incapable of recognizing the gravity of his actions.

Waters’s criminal activities included abusing five boys aged between eight and 12, both at his residence and during outings such as trips to the seaside or the cinema. He also assaulted boys in his car while they waited for their parents to pick them up from the Eton Manor Running Club in Marsh Lane, Leyton. The abuse spanned over 14 years, during which Waters was unwittingly accepted by his victims as an “honorary uncle,” a role he exploited to carry out his sickening acts.

The abuse only came to light when Steve, a man now aged 31, decided to report Waters to the police after experiencing flashbacks triggered by seeing a newborn baby. His revelations led to Waters’s conviction last month on 15 counts of indecent assault and a serious sexual assault. Steve commented on the outcome, saying, “It is a good result. The world knows what he is like now even though he is still denying it. He has asked to stay in prison because he knows he is not wanted on the outside.”

Steve Beckett, secretary of the Eton Manor Running Club and a volunteer for 30 years, expressed confidence that Waters’s evil acts could never happen again. He stated, “The club is a lot more organised now. All our volunteers follow strict child protection guidelines. For example, it is unacceptable for us to be with one child if we are unobserved. Reg was described as a coach when he was a volunteer.”