Sea Cadet Leader Locked-Up For Decade Of Sexual Abuse

A Sea Cadet leader, who abused a 13 year-old boy under his care and continued the assaults for a decade, has received eight years imprisonment.

Michael John Dickson, 44, of Orpington, Kent was also made subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, which will control his behaviour on release.

He pleaded guilty at Croydon Crown Court to five counts of indecent assault between 1992 and 2003.

The victim, a former sea cadet, told police about the abuse in December, 2014 and an investigation was launched immediately.

When Dickson was arrested on February 25, 2015 he denied abusing the victim and following a lengthy police investigation he was charged on June 13, this year.

Dickson was suspended from the Sea Cadets on the day of his arrest and has since been dismissed from the service.Detective Constable Mark Tarrant of the Metropolitan Police's Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Command said: "I would like to acknowledge the courage of the victim in coming forward.

“He is now aged in his thirties and has coped for many years with a great deal of psychological stress due to the abuse that he suffered.

“Dickson abused his position of trust and groomed a vulnerable boy in order to abuse him.

“Anyone who has been affected by non-recent sexual offences can be assured that all allegations are fully investigated and every effort will be made to bring offenders to justice."