An 82-year-old former boss of a scout camp site has gone on trial accused of sex offences dating back more than 30 years.

Donald Veale managed Buckmore Park, the Kent County Council and Scout Association- run camp site near Chatham, where some of the offences are alleged to have happened.

Veale, who lives in Gibraltar Lane in Hawkinge, has denied 14 sex offences involving three youngsters, which are alleged to have happened in the 1980s and 1990s.

Prosecutor John O’Higgins told a jury at Canterbury Crown Court that Veale was also a manager of a care home in Romney Marsh, which has since closed down.

He said: “These are allegations of historic sexual abuse of three children by this defendant when he was in a position of trust.

“During this period when they alleged sexual abuse, Veale was the director of children’s activities at Buckmore Park, which was run on behalf of the Scouts.

“The large campsite offered youngsters roller skating, go-carting, swimming and archery.

“These are allegations of historic sexual abuse of three children by this defendant when he was in a position of trust" - John O'Higgins

“And he was also a manager of a care home which has since closed down.”

Mr O’Higgins said two of the alleged victims, a boy and a girl, claimed they were assaulted by Veale at his bedroom at BuckmorePark and in the swimming pool.

The boy, he claimed, was “petrified and feared for his life” after being subjected to a series of attacks, including at Veale’s farmhouse home.

Mr O’Higgins claimed Veale, a qualified masseur, offered “chocolate as a treat after some of the incidences.

The prosecutor told the jury that another of the alleged victims had complained to social services about Veale’s behaviour on his boat in Folkestone Harbour but no charges had been brought at the time.

The trial continues.