Derek Feast

Derek Feast, a former Hertfordshire police officer and Stevenage Scout leader, has been jailed for 12 years after being convicted of sexually abusing four teenage boys over a period spanning three decades.

Feast, now aged 81, was found guilty of 17 counts of indecent assault and gross indecency. The offences took place in Hertfordshire and Norfolk between 1974 and 1991. Three of the victims were targeted while Feast volunteered with the Scouts, and a fourth was assaulted in 1991 while Feast worked in a newsagent’s shop in Norfolk.

The victims were aged between 12 and 15 at the time of the abuse. One victim recalled being sexually assaulted on Scout trips, at Scout meetings, and at Feast’s home in Stevenage. Another was 14 when assaulted, and a third was first assaulted at 15, with the abuse continuing for several years. The fourth victim was 14 when assaulted in Norfolk in 1991; he reported the incident to police at the time, but Feast was released with no further action.

Feast was traced to the Isle of Mull in Scotland and interviewed by Hertfordshire investigators in July 2024. He denied having sexual contact with three of the boys and claimed a consensual relationship with one victim. He was convicted on 17 February and sentenced at St Albans Crown Court on 22 April.

Feast must serve half of his 12-year sentence before being considered for release. He has also been placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life. Detective Inspector Ben Smith stated: “This case demonstrates that however long ago a crime was committed – even more than 40 years later – we will track you down and get justice for victims.”