A former scout volunteer from Taunton has been jailed for sexually abusing multiple children. Matt Ellett, 32, was sentenced at Taunton Crown Court on Monday to 20 years and eight months in prison, with three years of that term to be served on an extended licence. He was found guilty of 19 offences against five children.
Offences and sentence
Ellett was convicted of five counts of sexual activity with a child under 16, two counts of causing or inciting a child under 16 to engage in sexual activity, five counts of sexual assault of a child under 13, three counts of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child under 13, and assault of a child under 13 by penetration.
He has also been made subject of a sexual harm prevention order indefinitely, police said. The court heard how the abuse impacted the victims, with one saying they "had to grow up with memories and experiences that no child should ever have to endure", and it has "affected nearly every aspect of [their] life".
Victim impact and police response
Another victim said: "What happened to me took away a part of that innocence far earlier than any child should lose it. Things were introduced into my life that I was far too young to understand or process. Looking back now as an adult, I can see the difference between the young person I was before, and the person I began to become afterwards."
Detective Sergeant Phil Hockey paid tribute to the victims whose support for the police investigation was crucial. DS Hockey said: "Outwardly, Matt Ellett presented himself as a caring individual and earned the trust of children and parents alike. But secretly, he used that position to groom and inflict horrific abuse against five children.
"Ellett was as manipulative as he was predatory, by taking those victims to secluded areas to abuse them and telling them to pinky promise they would not tell anyone what had happened.
"He maintained his innocence throughout the police investigation and trial, falsely claiming the victims and other witnesses were making this up.
"All the victims in this case have shown an incredible amount of courage by reporting what happened, supporting our investigation and the subsequent trial. We know that is not easy and it is a testament to their character that Ellett is now behind bars.
"Cases like this show that no matter whether the sexual abuse is recent or non-recent, victims will be believed and we will do all we can to bring perpetrators to justice."
