A PAEDOPHILE who abused his position as a Bucks scout warden to "prey on young boys" in the 1980s has been jailed.

Bryan Wright, 76, was employed as a scout warden in Chalfont St Peter between 1970 and 1989 and during that time indecently assaulted two boys under the age of 16, police said.

Following his sentencing for 27 months, one of his victims told police officers he was satisfied with the sentence but the "memory of Wright will stay with me forever".

Wright, from Gloucestershire, was charged earlier this year with three counts of indecent assault on a boy under 16, after his victims recently spoke out about his crimes.

The offences took place against boys at Chalfont Heights Scout Camp in the mid 1980s.

Wright was sentenced at Aylesbury Crown Court on Wednesday after pleading guilty last month.

He was sentenced for 27 months imprisonment for count one, 27 months imprisonment for count two and 12 months imprisonment for count three, to run concurrently.

Thames and Chiltern Crown Prosecution Service's chief crown prosecutor, Adrian Foster, said: "It is only due to the great courage of the victims that the despicable behaviour of this man has been exposed.

"I would like to pay tribute to them for their strength and tenacity in coming forward.

"Due to the strength of the evidence against him, Wright recognised that justice had caught up with him and he had little option but to plead guilty to the offences.

"His pleas prevented his victims from the added trauma of re-living their horrific abuse and giving evidence during a trial.

"The sentence serves as an important message to people who have been the victim of crimes such as these, or those that no such crimes are being committed, should come forward because time is no barrier to justice."

He added: "The emotional impact on the victims and their families of the abhorrent actions of this man is impossible to quantify. I hope that the conviction and sentence gives some small comfort to them. Our thoughts are very much with them all at this time."

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Carolyn Bailey of the Child Abuse Investigation Unit, said: "I hope Wright’s sentence will bring some closure to his victims, who showed bravery and courage in coming forward. Our thoughts remain with them during this difficult period.

"At first, Wright’s victims thought they wouldn’t be believed after all these years, but this case demonstrates that Thames Valley Police will always listen to allegations of this nature."