Met gathers evidence from 14 victims to secure conviction against prolific child abuser

A team of dedicated Met officers have been praised for their commitment in bringing a sex offender to justice as part of an investigation which spanned the United Kingdom.

Michael Costin, 59 (02.02.65) of no fixed address has been sentenced to 15 years and three months' imprisonment at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Wednesday, 24 July.

Costin's sentence comes as the Met reaffirms its commitment to protecting vulnerable children, including investigating non-recent sexual abuse and bringing predatory offenders to justice.

Detective Constable James Howlett, who led the investigation, said: "I am proud of the detailed investigative work that has gone into securing this sentence.

"We have worked through vast amounts of material including witness statements to evidence Costin's offending, worked closely with victims across various locations in the UK including Essex, Suffolk and Northern Ireland, to carefully piece together timelines and accounts.

"Costin is a dangerous man with a deep history of abuse against children. The work we do every day helps to protect victims, secure justice and put people like him behind bars with the aim of making our community safer."

A victim read out a statement in court and said: "This has given me strength to encourage others to come forward and trust in the Met Police and the movement that is bringing justice for victims of historical abuse."

Between 2017 and 2023, victims came forward to multiple police forces detailing horrific accounts of the sexual abuse they faced while Costin held a position as a scout leader.

Detectives established that Costin abused four victims between 1982 and 1986 in Rush Green in east London. He went on to abuse a further ten victims in and around the Suffolk area between 1989 and 1994.

Costin groomed his victims, who gave harrowing accounts in their interviews to specialist Met officers, with some describing how they were sexually assaulted while they slept at camps, received 'love letters' from their abuser and were forced to perform sexual acts.

The Met is committed to protecting vulnerable children, including investigating non-recent sexual abuse and bringing predatory offenders to justice. We have specially trained officers who will listen and support you through the investigative process.

Background: Costin pleaded guilty on 13 June 2023 to the 14 counts of indecent assault. At the time he was already in prison for other sexual offences committed in the Oxford area between 2007-2010.

In 1996, Costin was convicted and sentenced to two years for similar offences in the Suffolk area.

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