A judge told a disgraced scout leader's supporters that they were "being wilfully blind" as he was locked up for sexually abusing a 10-year-old boy. Aaron Ashbrook, 59, of Windermere Avenue in Warrington, subjected the youngster to a series of degrading assaults after "using his status to gain access to the victim and cover his tracks".
The predatory paedophile then hid his "enduring, lifelong sexual attraction to children" for nearly 30 years while secretly collecting a vile stash of child abuse images, including searching the internet for sickening pictures and videos involving scouts. The remorseless sex offender continues to maintain his innocence in spite of the "overwhelming strength" of the evidence against him.
Abuse and discovery
Liverpool Crown Court heard today, Thursday, that Ashbrook would force the schoolboy to watch pornographic films at his home before ordering him to perform sex acts on himself. The defendant's behaviour later escalated to performing sex acts on his victim.
Peter Wilson, prosecuting, described how the victim was left "too scared and thought he would get laughed at and picked on at school" if he disclosed Ashbrook's abuse. However, he eventually came forward to police in 2023.
In a statement, which was read to the court on his behalf, he said: "My memories have been adversely affected in such a way that I can only remember bad things happening to me. Good things like the birth of my children or holidays take immense brain power that sometimes causes migraines."
"I always believed it was my fault and that I deserved it somehow. I felt embarrassed and that I would be laughed at. I thought it was normal, just what people do to you."
"My biggest worry is now my kids and hoping they don't go through what I have. It causes me to massively overthink. I'm hoping that, one day, I can get past this."
The reporting of this abuse led to officers seizing Ashbrook's laptop and mobile phone, at which stage it was discovered that he had downloaded numerous indecent images showing children aged as young as six being abused. He was also found to have completed internet searches, dating as far back as 2005, relating to such materials, including pictures and videos involving scouts.
Court response and sentencing
Ashbrook has no previous convictions. Bernice Campbell, defending, told the court: "The defendant is still denying all of the offences. I cannot make any further comment on that or remorse."
"Your honour presided over the trial. Not only did you see the defendant give evidence, you heard references, and people sit at back of court who know and love him and have done for many years. I cannot ignore the fact that the jury came back with convictions."
At this, Judge Stuart Driver KC said: "Anyone who does not believe that this is true is being wilfully blind. The evidence of three decades of watching and downloading child pornography is of overwhelming strength."
One woman in the public gallery was seen shaking her head at these comments before Ms Campbell continued: "The defendant clearly has a lot of good in him. He has worked for many years in the scouting organisation and also with young people."
"Although the predominant offence which he has to be sentenced for is 30 years ago, there has been no repeated allegations made in that period of time. I only ask your honour to give him some hope in what is a very dark tunnel for him."
Ashbrook was found guilty of five counts of indecent assault and three of making indecent images of children. Appearing via video link to HMP Liverpool wearing a green polo shirt and glasses, he too was seen repeatedly shaking his head before he was jailed for 12 years.
Sentencing, Judge Driver said: "What you did in the 1990s has had a serious and long lasting effect on him. He has shown great courage in coming forward and revealing the truth about you."
"You were a respected scout master. In mitigation, you are of previous good character and many witnesses spoke of a better side of your personality, in particular your work with the scouts."
"But the value of that as mitigation is greatly undermined by the way you used your status in that small community to gain access to the victim of these offences and to cover your tracks. You have shown no remorse whatsoever."
"There is no evidence of any contact offending in the last 30 years. That is an important factor. On the other hand, there is clear evidence of your viewing child pornography over three decades in the 2000s, 2010s and 2020s. You have an enduring, lifelong sexual attraction to children."
One of Ashbrook's supporters was seen in tears and being consoled by another woman as he learned his sentence. He was also handed an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and told to sign the sex offenders' register for life.
