A SCOUT leader at the centre of sex offences trial accused a 14-year-old boy of being gay because he did not want to watch a pornographic film with him, a jury was told yesterday (Tues).

David Burland, of Ramsay Way, Burnham, has denied 33 charges including indecent assaults on boys, sexual activity with a child, sexual assault and exposure. They relate to three boys and a girl under the age of 16 over a 23-year period.

One of his alleged victims, now in his 30s, told the jury how the 54-year-old former 1st Burnham Scouts leader exposed himself in front of him and sexually assaulted him. Burland promised not to tell the boy’s parents that he was gay for not wanting to be there.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said he had gone to help hang up tents at the scout hut before, against his wishes, Burland drove them to his own house.

Describing the incident at Taunton Crown Court, his alleged victim said: “I had no idea how to deal with the situation. It wasn’t a situation I could control and I didn’t feel comfortable.”

Rebecca Bradbury, defending, accused him of making up the story after the court was told he did not report the incident to police until his arrest last year.

The trial continues and is expected to last two weeks.

*For more details check out this week’s Mercury*