A 32-year-old former scout volunteer who exploited his position of authority to groom and sexually abuse five children has been handed an extended sentence of more than 23 years at Taunton Crown Court.
Matt Ellett, from Taunton, appeared at North Somerset Courthouse on Monday 5 October 2026 for sentence. He was convicted unanimously on 19 sexual offence charges following a trial in August, after a jury rejected his persistent denials and false claims that his victims had fabricated the allegations.
The court heard that Ellett used his volunteer role within the scouts to gain unfettered access to young people and win the implicit trust of their parents. Presenting himself as an upstanding mentor, Ellett methodically groomed the children before isolating them in secluded locations where he committed serious sexual assaults and penetrative abuse. To ensure their silence, Ellett used coercive manipulation, forcing the children to enter into “pinky promises” that they would never disclose his actions.
Under the provisions of the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1992, victims of sexual offences are entitled to lifelong statutory anonymity from the moment an allegation is made. It is a criminal offence to publish, broadcast, or disclose any details, including names, addresses, schools, or photographs, that could lead to the public identification of any of the child victims across any print, broadcast, online, or social media outlet.
In personal impact statements submitted to the court, the survivors described how Ellett’s actions severely disrupted their lives and mental health:
One survivor stated:
“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.”
Another victim shared:
“I have had to grow up with memories and experiences that no child should ever have to endure. The impact of what happened has affected nearly every aspect of my life. I can rest easier knowing that he is behind bars where he cannot hurt any other innocent young person again. I have never felt relief as much as with that first guilty verdict, until today.”
A third victim commented on the difficulty of comprehending the scale of the abuse:
“When I first heard about this, I was in denial – there’s no way someone can be so monstrous to do this to multiple people surely?”
Another survivor noted that the conclusion of legal proceedings allowed recovery to begin:
“Only now the court case is over and I’ve been able to let out what happened and speak to people, can I understand how it has really affected me and am able to get the help I needed for so long. So only now can I start my mental recovery.”
Following the trial, Ellett was convicted unanimously of:
- One count of assault of a child under 13 by penetration
- Five counts of sexual assault of a child under 13
- Five counts of sexual activity with a child under 16
- Three counts of causing or inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity
- Three counts of engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child under 13
- Two counts of causing or inciting a child under 16 to engage in sexual activity
The presiding judge sentenced Ellett to an extended sentence comprising an immediate custodial term of 20 years and eight months, with an additional three years to be served on extended licence. Under UK sentencing provisions for dangerous offenders convicted of serious sexual offences, Ellett will be required to serve at least two-thirds of the 20-year-and-eight-month prison term before the Parole Board can consider him for conditional release.
In addition to the custodial sentence, the court made Ellett subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and mandatory lifetime notification requirements on the Sex Offenders Register under the Sexual Offences Act 2003.
Detective Sergeant Phil Hockey of Avon and Somerset Police praised the victims for their fortitude:
“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.”
Image – Anonymous Artist Impression
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