Ex-scoutmaster Martin Tucker admits 26 sex offences against teenagers

A former Scout master has admitted a series of serious historic sexual offences. Legal executive Martyn Lewis Tucker, 67, of Chester, was warned to expect a significant prison sentence.

The Sealand Road resident was ordered to register with the police as a sex offender pending his sentencing, which will take place on Tuesday (May 13). Judge Niclas Parry agreed to re-bail him in the meantime. Tucker entered the dock at Mold Crown Court and admitted a total of 26 sexual offences. The charges originally included male rape but prosecuting barrister John Philpotts told the court that male rape was not known to the criminal law at the time the offences were committed.

He had therefore amended the charges. Tucker went on to admit 12 charges of indecent assault on young boys, nine charges of indecency with a child, and five charges of another illegal sexual act. The offences date from 1968 to 1978 when he worked as a scout master and occurred in Flintshire, Cheshire and elsewhere and relate to four victims, all young teenagers. Stephen Edwards, defending, said it would be a difficult and lengthy sentencing exercise and asked that sentencing be adjourned to a convenient date.

Judge Niclas Parry agreed but said that he would consult the presiding judge over the issue. He said that in view of “recent events” it should be considered whether sentencing of such cases should await a decision of the court of appeal. It is thought that the judge was referring to the sentencing of publicist Max Clifford who received a total of eight years. Mr Philpotts said that one of the victims would wish to address the court at sentencing stage to present his own victim impact statement.

Verisona Law have specific expertise in dealing with claims in respect of alleged assaults carried out by Scoutmasters. If you were subject to abuse please do not hesitate to contact our specialist child abuse solicitors. We will treat any communications with the strictest of confidence.