A scout leader who indecently assaulted an 11-year-old girl guide more than 35 years ago during a rehearsal for a gang show has been jailed for six years.

Andrew Barratt, 63, who now lives in Klondyke Way, Ashfordby, Leicestershire, pleaded guilty to twice indecently assaulting the girl at the St Albans scouts headquarters on Waverley Road, St Albans, in 1980 and 1981.

Nigel Ogborne, prosecuting, told the court how Barratt took the girl to the rear of a scout hut during a break and kissed and fondled her on two occasions.

Barratt also admitted to three other incidents of indecent assault involving other underage girls as well as taking an indecent image of another underage girl.

The offences all took place between 1979 and 1992, the court heard, but finally came to light in 2012 when the victim reported the matter to Hertfordshire constabulary.

Elise Jeremiah, defending, said that Barratt was in poor health and now felt remorse for his crimes.

But judge Stephen Warner said: “These are serious offences and involved predatory and manipulative behaviour toward these young girls,” and said that Barrett would be the subject of a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years and be added to the sex offenders register indefinitely.