Former scout leader charged with child sex offences in Sussex

Oliver Cooper, 25, a student, of Norbren Avenue, Bognor Regis, faces 22 charges of voyeurism and one of sexual assault, involving young children at scouting camps he helped to run.

He was a former scout leader in Horsham and the offences all allegedly happened in 2018.

The voyeurism charges relate to allegedly covert indecent filming of children between ages of six and eight and the alleged sexual assault relates to a girl aged six.

Cooper appeared at Crawley Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

He was sent for trial with a first appearance at Lewes Crown Court on February 12. He is court bail meanwhile.

The charges, authorised by the CPS, follow an investigation by detectives from the West Sussex Safeguarding Investigations Unit.

The Scouts Association and West Sussex Childrens' Services were immediately informed of the allegations and have worked closely with police to ensure all necessary safeguarding precautions were taken.

Police emphasise that the Scouts Association has given full co-operation throughout the investigation.

Parents of all children who were in the group, including those whose children have been identified as subjects of the alleged offences, have been kept informed.

There is no current safeguarding risk to any child.