Sex attack Cadet leader jailed (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Sex attack Cadet leader jailed

4:48pm Wednesday 15th August 2007 in

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AN AIR Cadet leader who sexually assaulted a 15-year-old boy during an expedition has been jailed for two years.

Supporters watching from a packed public gallery wept in disbelief as Christopher Day, a squadron leader for the Wanstead and Woodford Air Training Corps (ATC), was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday.

A wounded-looking Day hurriedly left the dock as the gavel sounded, escaping public view for a few moments before he was brought back in to the courtroom and ordered to sign on the sex offenders' register for 10 years.

Judge Sasha Wass told Day: "You were commanding officer and you manipulated events so that you shared a bed.

"You abused your position of trust and worse than that you abused the power you had over the young cadet."

"I have seen him give evidence in this case.

"You left him confused, and traumatised him in years of his life which should have been carefree."

Day was arrested last September after his victim confronted him and secretly recorded his confession to the attack.

The 48-year-old squadron leader was found guilty of indecent assault at the end of a nine-day trial in July.