Jeffrey Steel: Scout leader raped boy at Narrabeen camp

A survivor stared down his rapist in court as he told of the 10,000 plus days of suffering since the attack in a toilet block in 1992. ‘On that day my life changed forever,’ he said as he detailed the ‘absolutely horrific pain’ he was made to endure.

Jeffrey Steel and wife Lynda. Picture: Facebook

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A brave sexual abuse survivor has stared down his abuser in court, detailing the horrific pain he endured for 20 years before coming to terms with what happened to him on a Scouts camping trip to Narrabeen in the 1990s.

Former Kellyville scout master Jeffrey Steven Steel, 48, pleaded guilty to the horrific toilet block attack on one young boy and a separate incident with another, one of whom used drugs and alcohol to numb the pain over two decades.

Steel, who was employed by Woolworths up until he pleaded guilty to the charges, was supported by his wife Lynda Steel who told the court the father-of-two was a “caring, loving man”.

Steel abused one of the boys on a camping trip in the 90s.

But one of his victims has painted a darker picture of the 48-year-old.

The man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, stood defiantly in the Downing Centre District Court as he recalled the suffering he endured at the hands of Steel.

“It’s been more than 10,000 days when I was assaulted by my Scout leader – I was 14 and on that day my life changed forever,” he said.

“The consequence of what was done to me in a toilet block in Narrabeen have impacted me every day since.

The father of two is currently being held in Silverwater Jail.

“I also had many other trains of thought which escalated my anxiety: why did he do this, why me, when will the pain stop, did he give me AIDS, will I die … it isn’t what any 14-year-old should have to deal with.”

The victim told the court he went back to that same toilet block last year and called Steel, who offered him money to not say anything.

“That same place that troubled me in my darkest hours, it was the same place where I experienced absolutely horrific pain,” he said.

“I felt the power shift on the phone when I asked why he raped me and offered me money.

Steel will spend Christmas behind bars and learn his fate in the new year.

“Finally I am free.”

Steel sat quietly during the moving victim impact statement, only showing signs of emotion when his own wife gave evidence in support of him.

Lydna Steel told the court the pair’s young children had only just been able to see their father in Silverwater Jail after he was held in custody earlier this year and were aware of why their father was in court today.

“He said he was deeply sorry and he is has indicated the regret, the guilt and that he is ashamed,” she said when asked what he told her.

“He was clouded in himself, he didn’t know himself, he found it really hard (to admit he abused the boys).”

Judge Robyn Tupman adjourned until the new year to hand down her sentence.

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