Locations
Queen's Head Street, Islington, North London, N1
Description
A man who sexually abused two young boys at a scout group in Islington where he volunteered as a helper has been jailed.
Ian Barker, 61 (27.03.56) of Queen’s Head Street, N1, was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment at Blackfriars Crown Court today, Thursday 16 November.
He pleaded guilty at the same court on the third day of his trial on Wednesday, 15 November 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 – after Victim 1 gave evidence.
Barker volunteered to assist a scout troupe as a venture scout in Islington in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Both victims attended this 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, up to the age of 13.
While the victim was a scout, Barker had paid ‘special attention’ to him and singled him out for attention on the pretence that he was coaching him for specialist scout skills. However, this usually resulted in the victim being sexually assaulted by Barker.
Barker was arrested in May 2015 and denied the allegations when he was interviewed.
Following a lengthy investigation, involving extensive historic records checks and engagement with witnesses, a second victim who attended the same scout troupe was identified.