Former scout leader from Audenshaw jailed for grooming young boy

A former scout leader from Audenshaw who groomed a young boy with gifts and boat trips over 20 years ago has been jailed for more than five years. 

Graham Avison (pictured), of Astbury Avenue, was sentenced at Minshull Street Crown Court on Monday (23 November) to five years and seven months in jail and issued with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order after pleading guilty to four counts of indecent assault against a child.

The 76-year-old will also be required to sign the sex offenders’ register.

Avison sexually abused the teenager over a four-year period, between 1991 and 1995, when he was a scout leader. 

The court also heard that he first met the child through the scouts when he was 12 years old and began to sexually abuse him from the age of 14. 

Avison began grooming him with small gifts such as chocolate bars, which eventually escalated to more expensive gifts such as a car.

He had a Catamaran boat which he moored in Wales and would frequently take the boy and others sailing, as well as on trips away to boat shows across the country.

Following these trips, Avison and the boy would frequently stay over on the boat or in various hotels which is where the abuse would occur, as well as at Avison's home address.

'Avison is a predator who abused his position of trust'

Detective Sergeant Wayne Marshall, of GMP's Tameside division, said: "I would first and foremost like to thank the victim for coming forward. Their bravery throughout the entire investigation has resulted in a dangerous paedophile facing justice.

"Avison is a predator who abused his position of trust to groom the boy from a young age and sexually abuse him, which will leave psychological scars for the rest of his life. 

"The exploitation of children is a top priority for GMP and we take reports of this nature very seriously. I would encourage anyone who has been the victim of this type of abuse to come forward and speak to police."

If you need help or support 

Greater Manchester is nationally recognised as a model of good practice in terms of support services available to victims.

If you or someone you know has been raped or sexually assaulted, Greater Manchester Police encourage you not to suffer in silence and report it to the police, or a support agency so you can get the help and support available.

You can call Greater Manchester Police on 101, or alternatively people can refer themselves to St Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre on 0161 276 6515, whether or not you want make a police report.

St Mary's Sexual Assault Referral Centre in Manchester provides a comprehensive and coordinated forensic, counselling and medical aftercare service to anyone in Greater Manchester who has experienced rape or sexual assault. Services are available on a 24-hour basis and people can access them via Greater Manchester Police, or as a self-referral.

Manchester Rape Crisis is a confidential support service run by women for women and girls who have been raped or sexually abused. The confidential helpline is 0161 273 4500.