Man Jailed for Sexually Abusing Two Boys at Scout Group

Ian Barker, 61, of Queen's Head Street, N1, was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment at Blackfriars Crown Court on Thursday, 16 November. He pleaded guilty to one count of indecent assault with penetration on a boy aged under 14, one count of indecent assault on a boy aged under 14, and four counts of indecency with children.

Barker, who volunteered as a venture scout in Islington between the late 1970s and early 1980s, was convicted following evidence given by Victim 1. Both victims attended the same scout troupe.

In 2015, Victim 1 reported to the police that Barker had sexually assaulted him when he was a scout at the troupe between 1979 and 1981. Barker had shown "special attention" to Victim 1, pretending to coach him for specialist scout skills, which often resulted in sexual assaults.

Barker was arrested in May 2015 and denied the allegations. After a thorough investigation, including extensive historic records checks and witness interviews, a second victim who attended the same scout troupe was identified.