Ex-Scoutmaster who abused boys over 40 years ago told to expect jail or hefty compensation orders
A Perth sheriff has warned a retired Perthshire Scoutmaster who sexually abused three teenage boys in the late 1960s and early 70s that he faces a possible jail sentence.
- By Paul Reoch
- Published in the Courier : 09.02.12
- Published online : 09.02.12 @ 01.05pm
David McDonald (78), of Abbey Road, Coupar Angus, was told by Sheriff Lindsay Foulis the offences were ''calculated'' and that, despite his age, he would either send him to prison or seek ''significant'' financial compensation.
Sheriff Foulis told McDonald that if this means he has to sell his home to raise money, then ''so be it''.
The court heard McDonald had been a Scoutmaster since 1954 but had resigned from Scouting and other committees when he was charged with the offences.
The offences only came to light when one of the complainers — now a married man — spoke about it to his wife and then the police. A police inquiry took place which revealed two other teenage Scouts who had been sexually abused by McDonald.
He admitted that between April 1 1968, and August 31 1968, both dates inclusive, in a vehicle in Perthshire he sexually assaulted a teenage boy.
McDonald admitted a further charge that between September 1 1969, and December 31 1969, both dates inclusive, he sexually assaulted another teenage boy in Perthshire.
He pled guilty to another charge that between April 1 1970, and December 31 1971, both dates inclusive, he sexually assaulted another teenage boy.
The court heard how McDonald had been with the Scouting movement for 41 years.
Depute fiscal Stuart Richardson said all the complainers are now aged in their 50s.
''It was only through one of the complainers eventually telling his wife that the police were informed,'' he said. ''At the time of the offences, the teenage boys didn't tell anyone.''
The court heard the first incident took place when McDonald was looking for a camping location.
''Sleeping arrangements were made in McDonald's car when the boy woke up to find his sleeping bag unzipped and McDonald then carries out a sexual act on him,'' Mr Richardson said.
''The second charge was similar but the third occurred when McDonald was driving some of the young Scouts home. After he had dropped off the boys he pulled his car over and leaned over to the complainer and told him he needed to give him more first aid training but he sexually abused him.
''There was gossip amongst the boys but they didn't discuss it with anyone else.''
Solicitor Rosie Scott, defending, said her client couldn't remember the offences but accepted they must have happened as he didn't believe the men involved would have made up the stories.
''My client is 78 years old and these offences took place over 40 years ago,'' she said. ''He (McDonald) has not committed anything since. His position is that at the time of these offences he can't remember either experiencing feelings or thoughts about the boys to cause him to behave in this way. However, he accepts this to be abhorrent.
''My client does have empathy with these men. He told me he has memory problems and thought he was in the early stages of Alzheimers but has had a memory test and this was neither positive or negative.
''He was involved in the Heritage committee, when he went around schools giving talks on the Second World War but he has also given this up.''
Sheriff Foulis said McDonald had breached the trust of the boys at the time and also their parents and warned him he could face a custodial sentence.
He said: ''The parents of these boys would not have given it a second thought when they were asked if if it was okay for their children to go to a Scout camp. However, this was a calculated act.
''The passage of time is very significant but no matter how historic these charges are the court has to send out a message that this will not be tolerated. The victims carried emotional baggage over a long period of time.
''If I do go down the route of asking for recompense, I will be looking for significant compensation to the victims — a five-figure sum to each of them. If this means selling your house, then so be it.''
Sentence was deferred until February 29 for Mrs Scott to establish whether it will feasible for McDonald to raise enough capital for possible compensation.
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