Former scout leader Terry Figg from Stevenage has been found guilty of abusing boys in the 1970s.

Mr Figg, 68, of Cook Road, was convicted by a jury of 11 offences on boys under the age of 14, at Croydon Crown Court this week.

He was found not guilty of a further four offences of indecent assault, also on boys under 14. The offences took place in Orpington – on the outskirts of London, between April 1970 and December 1980.

Figg was initially arrested on March 19, 2015.

He was charged on January 21, 2016 and bailed to appear at Bromley Magistrates’ Court on February 17.

In recent years Figg has been a vocal campaigner to protect bus services from cuts in the Stevenage area.

The NSPCC issued a statement after Figg’s conviction saying: “Figg took advantage of the authority entrusted in him as a scout leader.

“He has committed horrific crimes against vulnerable children who should never have been at risk of sexual abuse.

“We hope this sends a message to perpetrators of non-recent abuse that they cannot hide from the law.

“We also urge other victims of child abuse to come forward to allow the police to investigate such crimes. Anyone who has concerns about abuse or who is a victim can call the NSPCC’s helpline on 0808 800 5000.”

Figg will be sentenced at Croydon Crown Court on December 9.