A FORMER Scoutmaster who tied up Scouts for his own sexual pleasure has been warned by a judge he must begin showing remorse or risk prison.

Farmer Steven Etherington, 44, will never work for the Scout Association again following his conviction for sex crimes.

But Judge Simon Jack gave him a chance to show he could reform himself rather than sending him straight to prison.

Sentencing Etherington at Hull Crown Court for two offences of sexual assault, the judge told him: “You abused your standing with these children for your own sexual gratification.

“I know you don’t accept that, but it was the finding of the jury and I accept that. My initial instinct was that was a serious breach of trust.” Giving him a three-year community order with a condition that he goes on a sex offenders’ treatment course, the judge told Etherington he would have to accept he had a problem to go on the course.

Offenders who fail to go on probation courses can be resentenced and given prison sentences.

Judge Jack ordered he should sign on the sex offenders’ register for five years, banned him from working with children, and ordered him to pay £3,500 costs.

A statement from the Scout Association said it had assisted the authorities throughout the criminal investigation. It said: “Etherington’s appointment has now been cancelled and he will not be involved with working with the Scout Association ever 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.” Hull Crown Court heard Etherington had burned his Scoutmaster’s uniform.

Etherington, of Fat Rabbit Farm, Fangfoss Lane, Wilberfoss, near Pocklington, denied two offences of sexual assault on boys under 13, but was found guilty by a jury last month.

They heard details of his actions against two boys, which included slapping one with a wet tea towel after tying him up and ordering him to partially strip, and staking the other out with his legs apart.

Defence barrister Mark Bury called Etherington the “Peter Pan of Stamford Bridge”.

The court heard the offences occurred when Etherington was alone with the boys and not at Scout meetings.