A SCOUT master has been given a suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty to sexually assaulting a child in his care.

Matthew Bell, 28, of Foresters Walk in Stamford Bridge, assaulted the boy after catching him and another child misbehaving.

The former assistant district commissioner warned the eight-year-old about the dangers of throwing sticks as he sexually assaulted him, having ordered the other boy to wait outside in the hall, a court heard.

Bell, who worked as a Full Sutton Prison officer, was later found with scout-related pornography including stories and images.

The boy, who gave Bell the nickname “Belly” because of his 16-stone size, gave up being a Scout within weeks of the incident because he could not face him.

Crown barrister John Thackray told Hull Crown Court the boy had disclosed the indecent assault to his mother after they heard an NSPCC advert on a car radio.

Mr Thackray said: “Quite matter-of-factly he told her the reason for quitting the cubs was because the man who he nicknames as Belly had touched him in the kitchen of the scout hut.”

In a victim impact statement, the boy’s mother disclosed how she was devastated her son became distressed and tearful after he told her about it. She said she thought her son was in the care of a responsible person and this was a breach of trust.

Mr Thackray said when police raided Bell's home they found he had 38 indecent images - 32 of which were not copies - on two computers and a hard drive, two in Category A the worst kind.

Defence barrister Edward Moss said although he accepted the probation officer’s concern at his lack of remorse there was remorse for the affect the case has had on those around him.

“It was in a period of his life when he was very troubled," said Mr Moss. "He acknowledges the seriousness of the offending...He is not sure why in this period of this life he has offended. He was bullied as a child. He is someone who will suffer greatly in prison.”

Bell appeared for sentence yesterday after pleading guilty to one charge of sexual assault on a child under the age of 16. He also pleaded guilty to two charges of making indecent images of children and two charges of possession of indecent images.

Sentencing him, judge Simon Jack said he was troubled that an author of a pre-sentence report had concluded Bells’ expressed remorse was concern that he was having to pay the penalty and not true remorse.

He said he had read letters which spoke well about him and these offences had not been repeated since they were discovered.

“The ultimate question is whether I can suspended the sentence I have to pass,” said Judge Jack “It is not in dispute that it must be a custodial sentence. I have come to the conclusion I can pass a prison sentence of two years, but it is just within the bracket of offences where it can be suspended.”

He gave Bell a two-year suspended prison sentence, with a requirement to attend the Northumbria Sex Offenders’ Treatment Programme.

Judge Jack warned Bell: “This is not the end of it. If you commit further offences the likelihood is you will go straight to prison for a substantial period of time.” Bell was ordered to pay £1,000 court costs. He must sign the National Sex Offender Register for ten years.