Michael Souter: Ex-BBC Man Guilty
Of Sex Crimes
A court hears "deviant sexual abuser" Michael Souter was obsessed with young boys in shorts and uniform.
Police are investigating further allegations against Souter
A former BBC presenter has been convicted of a spate of sex offences against seven boys as young as 11 over a 20-year period.
Michael Souter, who previously worked for BBC Norfolk and Radio Clyde, was also found guilty of further counts of making and possessing indecent images of children.
The 60-year-old, of Loddon, Norfolk, was convicted on a total 26 charges and cleared of one, while jurors have not reached a verdict on one count of indecent assault.
Prosecutors described Souter, who was also involved in the Scouts and a social services youth mentoring scheme, as a "sexual deviant" who was obsessed with young boys in shorts and uniform.
During the five-week trial, prosecutor Andrew Shaw told jurors that Souter used his celebrity to abuse society's most vulnerable.
Mr Shaw told the court: "He worked in radio and television and was something of a local celebrity.
"The significance of his work and his involvement with the scouts and social services, is that these three roles brought Mr Souter into regular contact with pliable young boys and very often pliable young boys who were among society's most vulnerable.
"We say Mr Souter is a deviant sexual abuser of young boys, particularly boys in uniform and those wearing shorts."
Souter had denied the offences saying that he was the victim of a conspiracy in which allegations against him were made up.
Originally from Scotland, he worked as a producer and presenter in both commercial and BBC radio since the mid-1970s. He had previously presented for Radio Clyde.
Since 1989 he has worked as a freelance broadcaster and had run a media relations consultancy.
The court heard that on one occasion Souter had plied a victim, who had a casual job at BBC Norfolk, with alcohol. The boy passed out and woke to find his trousers pulled down and Souter, who had not been drinking, molesting him.
He took boys on trips to burger restaurants and theme parks and used his links with Norwich City Football Club to invite them to watch matches at Carrow Road, the court heard.
The trial heard that witnesses had felt unable to come forward because of Souter's high standing in the community.
Norfolk Police confirmed a "live inquiry" was continuing into outstanding claims against Souter.
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