Locked up is a serial child abuser, Michael Costin Scout Leader Paedophile, reported to have “a deep history” of atrocious acts against young children. Michael Costin, 59, of no fixed residence, was a former Scout leader imprisoned for 15 years.
While Michael Costin was a Scout leader, victims came forward to several police agencies, providing horrible reports of the sexual assault they encountered between 2017 and 2023. In the 1980s, in Rush Green, east London, Michael Costin mistreated four victims.
Early in the 1990s, he then began to target and harass another ten victims in and around Suffolk. Michael Costin groomed his victims, who told horrific stories in their interviews to specialist Met officers, with some revealing how they were sexually attacked while they slept at camps, got “love letters” from their abuser and were compelled to engage in sexual acts.
Michael Costin entered a guilty plea on June 13, 2023, to 14 charges of indecent assault after being convicted and sentenced to two years for similar acts in Suffolk in 1996. He was already serving time in prison for various sexual assaults carried out in the Oxford region between 2007 and 2010.
Leading the inquiry, Detective Constable James Howlett said: “I am pleased with the thorough investigation that has gone into getting this sentence. We have meticulously pieced together timings and stories using significant material, including witness statements to demonstrate Michael Costin’s crime, working closely with victims across several parts of the UK, including Essex, Suffolk and Northern Ireland.
“Michael Costin is a dangerous man with a long background of mistreatment of children. Every day, our work safeguards victims provides justice, and places persons like him behind bars, thereby rendering our community safer.”
“This has given me strength to encourage others to come forward and trust in the Met Police and the movement that is bringing justice for victims of historical abuse,” said a victim reading a statement in court.
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.