SIMON TAPSALL, PAEDOPHILE SCOUT LEADER FROM LONDON, ORDERED TO RECEIVE HOSPITAL TREATMENT

On July 25, 2011, Simon Tapsell, a 29-year-old scout leader from Croydon, was ordered to undergo treatment in a hospital after being found in possession of a large collection of child pornography. Tapsell was discovered by officers from the Metropolitan Police paedophile unit after he spent hours browsing disturbing websites and chatrooms for illegal material.

At Croydon Crown Court, Judge Pratt mandated that Tapsell receive treatment under section 37 of the Mental Health Act, stating, “I am satisfied that you are suffering from a mental illness that will be treated at the hospital where you will be staying.”

It was revealed that Tapsell had previously spent 12 weeks in the Behavioural Disorder Unit at Bethlem Royal Hospital in Bromley. Following his arrest for possessing the vile collection, he was suspended by the Scout Association.

The material found on his personal computer, which was seized during a raid on his home in Blackhorse Lane, Addiscombe, in August 2009, included 6,571 images and 3,358 illegal movies. The content was disturbing, featuring young children as young as six engaging in sexual acts, masturbation, and nude posing, with some images depicting them with adults or animals.

Among the graphic material was a particularly serious clip showing a boy having sex with a dog.

Tapsell, who has Asperger’s syndrome, pleaded guilty to 18 charges of creating and possessing indecent photographs of children at Croydon Crown Court on December 10 of the previous year.