Former Pc jailed for abusing boys

A former Met police officer who indecently assaulted two teenage scouts during a camping trip has been jailed for three-and-a-half years.

Peter Alderson, from Woodford Green, Essex, assaulted the two boys over six years while he was a scout leader.

London's Southwark Crown Court heard on one occasion Alderson assaulted one of the boys inside his sleeping bag.

The 38-year-old married father-of-three admitted five sex attacks between 1992 and 1998 at an earlier hearing.

Actions such as yours strike the heart of the movement. Judge Paul Dodgson

The court heard one of the boys, then aged 16, would try to push Alderson's hand away.

Alderson, a Met police officer for the borough of Redbridge, then turned his attention to the second boy who was aged 15.

He was arrested in June 2004 and resigned from the police force in October after 19 years of service.

Judge Paul Dodgson said his victims thought he was a "good bloke".

"You befriended your first victim and not only abused your position of trust but also that friendship.

Sex offender

"Parents send their sons to Scout Movement in the belief that they will learn values and skills in a safe and supportive environment.

"Actions such as yours strike the heart of the movement."

Alderson, who had been an Assistant County Commissioner for scouts, was told he must remain on licence for four years following his release from prison.

He was also put on the sex offenders register and banned from working with children for 15 years.

In a statement Det Insp Mick Thurley, the investigating officer from the Child Abuse Investigating Command, said Alderson had "abused his position".

"We can only be grateful that at least he admitted his guilt and saved his victims from reliving the ordeal in court," he added.