ROBERT MAJOR'S SHOCKING ABUSE IN AYLESBURY AND LEIGHTON BUZZARD: PREDATORY PAEDOPHILE SENTENCED TO 14 YEARS

In January 2013, a disturbing case involving Robert Major, a man with a history of working as a leisure centre lifeguard and Scout leader, culminated in his being convicted and sentenced for a series of heinous sexual offenses committed against young boys in the areas of Aylesbury and Leighton Buzzard. Major, aged 63 and residing at The Willows, off Steppingstone Place in Leighton Buzzard, was found guilty of multiple counts of child sexual abuse, leading to a substantial prison term of 14 years.

The senior judge overseeing the case described Robert James Major as a “predatory paedophile of the worst sort,” emphasizing the severity of his actions and the danger he posed to vulnerable children. The court's condemnation was clear, with the judge asserting that Major deserved every bit of the punishment handed down.

The criminal proceedings, which took place at Amersham Crown Court in June 2012, revealed that Major was responsible for a series of sexual offenses spanning over two decades. He was convicted of 12 counts of indecent assault, four counts of indecency, and one count of buggery. Notably, he was acquitted of one count of rape. The offenses involved three boys, all aged between 10 and 12 years old at the time the abuse began.

Major’s history of community involvement included serving as a Scout leader in Leighton Buzzard from the 1960s through the 1980s, as well as working as a pool supervisor at a local leisure centre. The abuse took place at two addresses and the leisure centre in Leighton Buzzard between 1977 and 1982, as well as at a residence in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, between 1997 and 2001.

The investigation was initiated in the summer of 2009 when authorities were contacted by a man reporting that his son had been sexually abused by Major at a house in Aylesbury. Further inquiries uncovered that the same man, who had initially reported abuse against his son, had also been victimized by Major during his childhood in Leighton Buzzard. The case expanded further in 2010 when a third victim came forward, providing a detailed statement in February 2012.

During the investigation, attention was also drawn to Brian Bailey, aged 42, of High Street, Abingdon, who was later sentenced to six years in prison in October 2011 for abusing six boys over a period of 15 years. Although Bailey had lived with Major at the Aylesbury address, the two were not charged jointly with any offenses.

Jo Simmons, a case investigator from Aylesbury CID, highlighted the complexity and length of the investigation, noting that it resulted in three victims coming forward to report the abuse inflicted by Major. She emphasized that Major exploited his trusted position to target young boys, often luring them with cigarettes and alcohol. Simmons expressed her admiration for the bravery of the victims, acknowledging the trauma they endured and expressing hope that the legal outcome would aid their recovery.

As part of his sentence, Robert Major will be required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions aimed at protecting the community from further harm.