Former Scout leader convicted of indecent assaults of teen boys.

Fife Scout Leader Jailed for Sexually Abusing Boys

John Somerville, 57, has been sentenced to 45 months in prison for sexually abusing young boys in his scout group. Police have condemned his actions, describing them as "abhorrent".

Somerville admitted to a series of indecent assaults and lewd behavior against three boys aged between 13 and 14. The abuse took place during camping trips across Scotland in the 1990s. Somerville would ply the boys with alcohol, engage in games that resulted in the boys having to remove their clothes, and then sexually abuse them.

Two of the victims were present in court to see Somerville sentenced. He had previously been convicted of similar offenses in 2006 but avoided jail time. Since then, he had been running a gardening business.

Somerville, of Greenwell Park, Glenrothes, was sentenced at Dunfermline Sheriff Court. His defense solicitor, Peter Robertson, acknowledged the "abhorrent and predatory" nature of Somerville's actions. He stated that Somerville is "full of remorse and understanding" and accepts that he was abusing his position as a scout leader.

Sheriff William Gilchrist noted that it was unclear whether Somerville was truly remorseful. He described Somerville's actions as a "serious breach of trust" that involved planning and targeted vulnerable children. He sentenced Somerville to 45 months in prison, backdated to March 9th when he was remanded in custody.

Somerville will also be subject to a 12-month supervised release order and placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely.