A scout leader from Somerset has been found guilty of abusing four children over two decades.

David Burland, 54, a group scout leader in the Burnham-on-Sea area, was convicted of 33 sexual offences against children under the age of 16, a court official said.

He subjected three boys and a girl, now aged between 16 and 38, to a series of abuse, threatening them if they spoke out.

Burland, of Ramsay Way, Burnham-on-Sea, was suspended by the Scout Association last year.

The father was caught out as he sexually assaulted a girl, now 17, who had previously confided in an adult that she was concerned about Burland’s behaviour towards her.

Prosecutor Ian Fenny told the jury of eight women and four men that Burland was a sexual predator who manipulated his victims.

Twenty-two of the charges allegedly relate to one victim who suffered up to six years of abuse.

The assaults started in 1987 and lasted until 2010. Burland was arrested in January 2011.

Burland was found guilty of 18 charges of indecent assault with a boy under 16, nine charges of sexually assaulting boys under 16, three counts of sexually assaulting a girl under 16, two counts of indecency with a child and one count of indecent exposure.

He was remanded in custody to be sentenced on February 10.