Sussex scout leader jailed for child sexual offences

Anthony Bath, of Victoria Road, Portslade, began unknowingly talking to an undercover police officer, who referred to himself as Jason, on January 9, 2024.

The 34-year-old revealed he had a sexual interest in children and a “thing for young girls” in messages via a private chat room website.

He discussed being the leader of a scouts group, saying he dealt with children between the ages of six and 14 and that “some are good to look at”, a court heard.

As part of the police sting, the undercover officer created a fictitious scenario in which he told Bath he was sexually abusing his ten-year-old step-daughter, which Bath said was “amazing” and “so hot”.

Bath expressed his desire to watch the fictitious abuse and sent a picture of him in his underwear for Jason to show the girl.

The officer suggested Bath “come round and meet her for some fun”.

In response, Bath said: “Yeah, you aren’t too far from me. Awesome.

“Is there anything else, of you or her, I could see.”

The pair went on to discuss logistics of the meeting, with Bath saying he “wouldn’t be able to take [his] hands off her”.

When asked if the scout leader was “100 per cent sure you’re up for meeting” and abusing her, Bath said “yeah I’m totally sure”.

Bath also sent a category A image, the most severe type, of a young girl to Jason, as well as photos of three young girls in bikinis and an indecent image of a naked child.

He was arrested on January 29, 2024, and his devices were seized.

He denied taking part in the sexual conversations, instead claiming he had been “hacked”.

Indecent images ranging from category A to C were found on his various devices.

He was charged with arranging/facilitating the commission of a child sex offence, two counts of distributing indecent images of children and three counts of making indecent images of children.

He pleaded guilty to the offences on December 15, 2025.

Defence Jay Shah said there “was not a significant degree of planning” in this case and said “the majority of the suggestive detail comes from the undercover police officer”.

Mr Shah added that Bath “recognises he does have a problem and wants to address that problem”.

However, Judge Hardy said Bath was “very active” in the conversation.

He said: “You have responsibility in the community including being a scout leader.

“Those exchanges spoke for themselves.

“In my judgement, these conversations are not impromptu or a one off. They reflect a thread which gets worse and worse as it develops.”

Mr Hardy added there is a “significant disparity in age” between Bath and the fictitious 10-year-old girl.

Bath was jailed for three years at Lewes Crown Court sitting at Brighton Magistrates’ on Monday, February 16.

A sexual harm prevention order will also be imposed, Mr Hardy said.

A Scouts spokesman said: "The safety of young people in our care is our number one priority. We are aware of the case involving Bath and we have cooperated fully with the statutory authorities throughout their investigation.

"In January 2024 concerns about Bath’s behaviour were raised with us by the Police and we immediately suspended him from the Scout Movement. We cancelled his membership of the Movement later that same month. He will never be allowed to volunteer with us again.

"The Scout Association carries out stringent vetting of all adults who work with young people and requires them to work to a strict code of practice outlined in the “Young People First” Code of Practice."