Romford abuse victims of Michael Costin speak out in court

Four people who were sexually abused by serial paedophile Michael Costin while they were scouts in Romford spoke today (July 23) at Snaresbrook Crown Court, or had statements read on their behalf by prosecutor Walton Hornsby.

Costin is being sentenced for more than 20 offences of sexually abusing scouts in Romford and Suffolk.

The court also heard the father of a Romford victim read a statement in which he conveyed his "absolute abhorrence" towards the defendant.

Costin, 59, is currently at HMP Pentonville serving sentences for previous child sex offences but appeared in the dock today.

This paper reported earlier this year on his history of abuse in Suffolk, Oxford and Tower Hamlets.

He had appeared at Snaresbrook Crown Court in 2023 and admitted numerous sex offences against boy scouts in Romford in the 1980s, then in Suffolk in the 1990s.

In the afternoon, victims from Suffolk came forward to speak or by Mr Hornsby on their behalf, detailing the impact they suffered from Costin's abuse.

One of Costin's victims in Romford said his childhood was taken away by the former scout leader, who the court heard had abused his position of power.

RELATED NEWS: Paedophile Romford scout leader Michael Costin sentencing – live

Former Romford scout leader Michael Costin (Image: Met Police)

"Michael Costin's actions have impacted my life for over 40 years," he said, speaking in person.

"It damaged my trust in authority figures and my relationships with them."

He also spoke of guilt at not coming forward sooner, adding:  "Not a week has gone by when Costin and my inaction has not popped into my head."

The father of one of the Romford victims, who had died since the abuse took place, spoke to the court.

He said: "I have absolute abhorrence towards this defendant. He will definitely reoffend should be released back into society.

"Nothing will bring back our son, but a long sentence will provide us an element of closure," he added.

Another theme was ruined relationships and another Romford victim explained how the abuse left him unable to form ones that lasted, estranging him from friends, family and work colleagues.

"Emotionally I have always been closed and withdrawn, unable to talk about feelings," he said. "Even now it is still a struggle to open up - this has meant significant problems with all my relationships.

"I have always been unable to talk about sex, I have always struggled to access emotions with sexual activity," he added.

Lead officer Det Con James Howlett was praised by many in this hearing, including one who suffered abuse in Suffolk ten years after the Romford crimes.

Mr Hornsby, reading on behalf of a Suffolk victim, said: "The damage he has caused me still haunts me every day and I hope in time I can deal with this.

"I feel some degree of pity for Costin who has lived a truly pathetic life. I'm incredulous how someone in that position of trust could do that," he added.

After hearing from all four Romford victims and two in Suffolk, the hearing was adjourned until 2pm.

It restarted with another witness statement delivered in-person by a Suffolk victim of Costin's.

"This abuse has had a massive impact on not just me but my family, who have had to live with the worst of me.

"The affect of Michael Costin's actions continue to live with me everyday," he added. "My children have had to hear things [about the abuse] that no child should.

"Seeing the hurt and guilt on their faces has been devastating."

Such was the harrowing nature of the events described that one Suffolk witness kept his statement, delivered via Mr Hornsby, to a minimum as he did not feel ready to come forward with a detailed testimony.

The final Suffolk complainant today said the abuse he suffered set him apart from his peers and would stay with him for life.

"This has never and will never go away," he added.

The sentencing proceedings continue tomorrow (July 24).