£42k payout for ‘banned’ autistic Scout

AN AUTISTIC schoolboy has been given £42,000 in compensation by the Scout Association after he was ‘ostracised’ by his local group.

Ben Gleeson, 11, joined the Cubs three years ago and his parents told leaders how to handle the anxiety he occasionally suffered from.

But after two incidents he was told he could no longer travel on a bus to events or take part in athletics. His parents secured the compensation in an out-of-court settlement after arguing the move by 10th Harpenden Scout Group in Hertfordshire amounted to a ban.