An 82-year-old former scout leader who described prison as 'nothing short of hell' has had his jail term doubled after being convicted of further historical sex offences against boys.
Background of the Case
Stuart May, previously a scout leader in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, was exposed as a child sex predator in 2023. He admitted to 11 offences against four boys and was sentenced to eight years and nine months in prison.
Since his initial sentencing, three more victims came forward. Despite May confessing to his earlier crimes, he forced the new complainants to endure a trial. A jury subsequently found him guilty of six charges of indecent assault on a male and two counts of indecency with a child.
Details of the Offences
The sexual attacks occurred in the 1970s, with May preying on his victims in his car, during trips, at the scout hut, his home, his scout office, and even at a public swimming pool.
One victim, who was the subject of five of the latest offences, stated that May had 'destroyed so many young lives'. The victim recalled blaming himself for the abuse and praying daily, fearing he would go to hell due to his religious upbringing.
Court Proceedings
At Birmingham Crown Court on Thursday, June 18, May was sentenced to an additional eight years, to run consecutively to his previous term. This means his total sentence now exceeds 16 years, quashing any possibility of release in November next year, when he had expected to move to an open prison.
Peter Glenser, prosecuting, stated that May had groomed the boys and abused his position of trust. He noted that May showed 'precious little insight into his offending and into the devastation he has reaped on the lives of young children'.
Sharon Bailey, defending, confirmed May is married and that both he and his wife have no serious health issues. She said: 'He is painfully aware his wife has been left on her own and he is painfully aware the sentence passed today may mean he never leaves custody.'
She added: 'Serving a prison sentence at his time of life has been particularly difficult. He was fortunate in two of the prisons he has been kept in, they had particular facilities for people of his age. At the moment he is in HMP Birmingham. He describes that experience as nothing short of hell.'
Bailey concluded that May last offended in 1977.
Judge's Remarks
Judge Roderick Henderson, passing sentence, told May: 'This is the most obvious case of grooming and abuse of a position as a scout master who was trusted in the community. It was made worse by manipulating those boys to keep quiet, telling them they would be in trouble if they let anyone know what you had done to them.'
He added: 'You told a lot of lies in this trial. One thing you did say that I have no doubt was true, was that between then and now you didn't give those boys much thought at all until the chickens came home to roost.'
