Ex-scout leader is accused of sex crimes

A FORMER director of social services and scout leader has been charged with a series of sex offences against teenage boys, police said last night.

Rod Ryall, 67, of Mirfield, West Yorkshire, will appear before magistrates next month accused of 13 offences, some dating back more than 40 years, Durham Police said.

He is charged with indecent assault and gross indecency against two 15-year-old boys at the former Aycliffe Approved School, in County Durham, between 1967 and 1970, and a 13-year-old boy in West Yorkshire between 1975 and 1977.

Ryall was said to have worked as a house master at the children's home in Newton Aycliffe, and later was the director of social services at Calderdale Council.

He was a scout leader at the time of the later alleged offences.

A Durham Police spokesman yesterday said: "A 67-year-old man from Mirfield, West Yorkshire, was charged with 13 sex offences, some dating back more than 40 years.

"Between 1967 and 1970, he is accused of a total of six offences of indecent assault and four of gross indecency.

"His alleged victims were two 15-year-old boys at the former Aycliffe Approved School, in County Durham.

"He has been charged with a further two counts of indecent assault and one of gross indecency alleged on a 13-year-old boy in West Yorkshire between 1975 and 1977.

"At that time, the man was said to have been a scout leader."

Ryall is to appear at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court on 15 October.