A FORMER cub scout leader who indecently assaulted four young boys has been jailed for five years.

Ian Beeby, 62, who was a trusted volunteer scout leader in north Cumbria for 12 years, used that position to sexually abuse boys aged between eight and ten.

He had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to 16 offences - 7 charges of indecent assault against a child, 6 of indecency with a child, 3 of downloading child porn.

This offence involved him storing almost 400 indecent images of children on his home computer.

The abuse happened while Beeby was on camping trips with his victims and at his home in North Cumbria.

The court was told on an earlier occasion that Beeby already had previous convictions for similar offences, including some dating back to the early 1990s.

All four of his victims in the latest case were cub scouts.

In court today, a statement from one of Beeby's victims, who said what happened had ruined years of his life. "These last two years have been the hardest of my life," said the man.

He was among the victims who came forward as a result of publicity surrounding the first indecent assault.

Kimberley Morton, the defendant's defence lawyer, told the court that Beeby now appreciated the impact of his abuse on the boys he targeted.

Sentencing Beeby, now of Edditch Grove, Bolton, Judge Peter Davies told him that his treatment of his victims had been corrupt, adding: "I have no choice but to impose a custodial sentence."

Detective constable Ryan Parker said: “Beeby’s behaviour was completely inexcusable and I am pleased that he has been brought before the courts to answer for his crime. 

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank the victims for their bravery in coming forward to report the incidents to the police, and I hope today’s sentence will bring them some sense of closure.

“It is never too late to report sexual abuse and I would urge anyone who has been a victim to come forward. 

"Sexual abuse and exploitation of children is not tolerated in Cumbria, and every report is investigated sensitively and professionally. We are committed to bringing those responsible for sexual abuse to justice.”

Beeby's name will be on the Sex Offenders' Register for life.

Anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse, or has concerns about a friend or relative, can contact Cumbria Police on 101 and speak to a trained officer, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.