'Devious' scout leader jailed over child sex abuse

A "manipulative and devious" former scout leader who lured a young girl into the woods to sexually assault her has been jailed for 20 years and eight months.

Matt Ellett, 32, from Taunton in Somerset, was unanimously convicted of 19 sexual offences against multiple children by a jury on 5 August.

The court heard he abused his position of trust by befriending the victims through his voluntary role, before sexually abusing them over a five-year period.

Sentencing him on Monday, Judge Richard Shepherd described Ellett as a "skilled liar" and a "coward", who had coerced the victims into staying quiet by threatening to take his own life.

Judge Shepherd added that Ellett was "a manipulative and devious individual", who used his reputation "to mask predatory, paedophilic behaviour".

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The trial heard the offences first began in the early 2010s.

Det Sgt Phil Hockey, from Avon and Somerset Police, previously told the court Ellett was a "popular" volunteer within the scouts, and many of the children's parents believed he was a "positive influence".

In a victim impact statement, one woman said: "I did not have the power to say no to somebody who had authority over me, who I was taught to trust."

The court heard Ellett had lured her into secluded woodland under the guise of carrying out a health and safety check, before forcing her to the ground and abusing her.

She added his "depraved actions" had left her with "involuntary and painful" body spasms, and vivid nightmares in which she desperately tries to fight her attacker off.

"My body has held onto that trauma I have experienced," she said.

"I wasn't able to go on camping trips with my friends because I would get so nervous at the thought of being in the woods with someone else.

"Whilst he was out living his life, we were left to pick up the broken pieces of ourselves he left behind."

Another victim fought back tears as she shared her reluctance to bring a child into the world one day, questioning whether she could keep them safe.

"What happened has damaged my faith in people, and at times, my faith in humanity," she said.

"Experiencing these things as a child changes what you believe people are capable of."

A third victim said the breach of trust had left her "feeling violated, betrayed and deeply confused", and she soon turned to alcohol and self-harm to "numb the pain".

"I knew what was happening made me feel uncomfortable and frightened, but I was too young to understand why," she said.

"I have had to grow up with memories and experiences that no child should have to endure."

In mitigation, defence barrister Charley Pattison highlighted Ellett's underlying mental health issues, and the fact he had several positive character references.

But the judge described him as a dangerous predator.

"You have caused devastating harm to these young people," he said.

"But what was most striking from the trial was their personal fortitude, their unbreakable resilience, and their strength of character to stand in this court and tell 12 strangers what you put them through.

"You on the other hand Mr Ellett, you are a coward. You have no strength of character.

"You knew what you had done but nevertheless you decided to lie and to cheat, to accuse these young people of making things up.

"But the jury saw through your deceit and convicted you unanimously on all counts."

Ellett will also be subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order, alongside a three-year extension order.

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