Jyväskylä man suspected of child sex offences in scouting

Police in Central Finland have completed an investigation into a 43-year-old man from Jyväskylä suspected of several sexual offences against children, Yle reports. Investigators examined alleged acts involving 20 complainants.

The man has worked as a teacher, but police say the suspected offences are not connected to his job or workplace. He has also been an instructor in scouting and Salvation Army activities.

Police say all but one of the alleged acts took place in connection with the man’s hobby, scouting. They are believed to have occurred mainly in Jyväskylä between October 2020 and February 2026.

The investigation covered suspected aggravated sexual abuse of a child, sexual abuse of a child, coercion into a sexual act, aggravated rape of a child and sexual assault of a child.

The man was remanded in custody in March and remains detained. The case has been sent for consideration of charges, which must be filed by 29 October.