A Kingsdown Scout leader has been jailed for nine months for downloading more than 2,500 indecent pictures of children being sexually abused – some as young as two.

Peter Turner, 56, was highly respected by countless boys and girls at the Deal 12th (Kingsdown) Cub group.

But his voluntary position as Akela there was not enough to protect him when his vile secrets were discovered.

In March last year officers from the Child Exploitation Unit raided the home Turner shared with his mother and brother in Kingsdown Road, St Margaret’s.

"I wish I was dead...my life is over. I must have been out of my mind” Peter Turner

They found sick images of children as young as four being abused – 15 at the worst level five, 329 at level four, 359 level three, 95 level two and 1,800 at level one.

Before pleading guilty at Canterbury Crown Court, turner wrote to his solicitor: "I wish I was dead...my life is over. I must have been out of my mind.”

Now he is serving a nine month sentence and will never be able to work with children again. Turner will have to sign the sex offenders register.

For the full story, see the Mercury, out today.