Salford scout leader jailed for historic sex abuse.
John Francis Parrish has been sentenced to 8 years in prison.
Last updated 19th May 2017
A former Salford scout leader has been jailed for historic sexual abuse.
John Francis Parrish, of Castle Gates, Shrewsbury, has been jailed for 8 years at Manchester Crown Court.
On 30 January 2015, a 56-year-old man made a report to police that he had been sexually assaulted by Parrish between 1966 and 1970.
The man told police the abuse happened at the hands of Parrish, who was a Scout Master in Salford, when he was aged between 7 and 11.
He said his grandson had expressed an interest in joining the Scouts and he couldn’t keep the abuse to himself any longer in case Parrish was still alive and abusing children.
An investigation was launched and a number of enquiries were followed based on the information bravely brought forward by the man including the almost weekly occurrence that Parrish would accompany him to the toilet and sexually assault him while whispering “Be quiet.”
Detective Constable Cathy Blain of GMP’s Salford Borough, said: “This has been a long and complex investigation and I have nothing but praise for the man who so courageously came forward and reported the abuse.
“Parrish abused his position of trust in the worst possible way and my only hope is that the prosecution brings some closure after he has suffered in silence for more than 50 years.
“If you have any concerns at all or want to speak to someone to pass on information or report a sexual offence, you can contact police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”