A FORMER Boys' Brigade leader and charity founder who sexually abused four children has been jailed.

One of David Wall's victims were driven to attempt suicide as a result of the attacks, which took place between 1981 and 2001.

Wall, a married church-goer, abused his power in the Christian organisation to indecently assault three boys in his care.

The father-of-two, now 53, went on to abuse a fourth child, who was not a member of the Boys' Brigade. Wall later founded Hampshire-based Christian charity Acts 4 Sharing.

He was finally brought to justice around two decades after the last offence he committed.

The defendant, of Ash Grove in Ringwood, assaulted boys in tents in his home during informal sleepovers. He was known by members of his unit as 'David Wandering Hands'.

Jurors were unable to reach a verdict following a first trial held at Plymouth Crown Court.

However, this week Wall was convicted of five counts of indecent assault against four of the boys after a retrial.

Jurors could not agree on a verdict on a sixth count involving a fifth complainant and a formal not guilty verdict was recorded.

One victim who only came forward last year said he had tried to take his own life, reported the Plymouth Herald.

He told the court in a statement: "I have had 18 years of pure hell."

Jailing Wall for seven years, Judge Paul Darlow said: "This was a gross abuse of your position in a Christian caring organisation, the purpose of which was to promote moral values."

The judge said Wall's actions had a "marked" impact.

The officer in the case, Detective Constable Sarah Ronayne, said outside court that she was "thrilled" with the verdict.

Ali Rafati, mitigating for Wall, said the defendant continued to deny all of the offences and had stayed out of trouble since at least 2000.

Wall has worked hard to run his charity for several years, Mr Rafati said.

The defendant showed little reaction as the unanimous guilty verdicts were read, shaking his head silently.

"WE WANT TO LOVE AND SHARE"

Acts 4 Sharing was founded with the aim of providing 'acts of responsive kindness', including participation in community projects, DIY and provision of second-hand furniture.

The organisation's mission statement is: "We want to love and share until. It. Hurts."

Founders also attempted to help Latvian people in poverty.