A former Scout leader and teacher from Enfield sexually abused three boys over a 16-year period.

Peter Wells, 72, was convicted on Tuesday (November 27) of seven counts of indecent assault and five of gross indecency after a two-week trial at Wood Green Crown Court.

All the offences took place during a period from 1974 to 1992. The victims were aged between eight and 13 years old.

The court heard Wells carried out the sexual abuse when he was a teacher at Keble Preparatory School in Enfield and when he was a Scout leader within the district of Edmonton in the 1970s.

He also worked as an athletics coach for Enfield and Haringey Athletics during this period.

Wells, of Sheldon Close in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, will be sentenced on December 7.

He took an 'unhealthy interest'

Detectives in the Met’s Child Abuse and Sexual Offences (CASO) unit began an investigation in March 2017 after one of the victims reported the incidents to police.

Subsequent police enquiries revealed two other victims who were also approached and willing to assist police in this investigation.

The three victims then went to a north London police station and video interviews were carried out.

The first victim, who is now in his 50s, reported that Wells had taken an “unhealthy interest” in him when he was a pupil at Keble Preparatory School.

He told detectives that Wells had abused him on a number of occasions on school trips and after athletics sessions during a seven-year period.

A second pupil said Wells abused him over a four-year period during his time at the school.

The victim, now in his 40s, said Wells put his hand inside his clothing and inappropriately touched him on numerous occasions.

The third victim, also in his 50s, said Wells abused him during his short time as a Cub Scout whilst Wells was a Scout leader.

Wells was arrested on March 24, 2017. In his police interview, he denied the allegations of sexual abuse.

He was remanded in custody until his sentencing.

What police say

Detective Constable Keith Kimberley, of the Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Command, said: “Wells abused his position of trust as a teacher, Scout leader and an athletics coach by sexually abusing boys in his care.

“It is clear from the victim’s testimony that Wells was a predatory sex offender who abused the boys on occasions such as school trips when they were separated from their friends and family.

“I am glad that Wells will now face the consequences of his actions.

“I would like to commend the bravery of the victims in coming forward and reporting this abuse.

“This conviction shows that it is never too late to report sexual offences and I would urge anyone affected by this investigation to come forward and speak to police.”