Former scout volunteer handed 20-year sentence for sexual abuse against children

Posted on 5 October 2026, at 14:37 in In Court

Matt Ellett, from Taunton, stood trial after being charged with 19 offences against five children.

A man who sexually abused children he met through his scouting volunteer work has received a 20-year sentence.

Matt Ellett, from Taunton, was found guilty of 19 offences against five children after standing trial in August.

The 32-year-old had presented himself as a role model to children and won the trust of parents, before using that to subject the victims to sexual abuse.

Ahead of the sentencing hearing, the victims provided personal statements for the court to explain the impact of Ellett’s offending on their lives.

Below are extracts from what each of the five victims 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.”
“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.”
“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?”
“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.”

Ellett was found unanimously guilty of the following offences:

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 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.
Assault of a child under 13 by penetration

He was sentenced at Taunton Crown Court, sitting at North Somerset Courthouse, today (Monday 5 October) to a prison term of 20 years and eight months, with three years of that to be served on extended licence. He has also been made subject of a sexual harm prevention order indefinitely.

Detective Sergeant Phil Hockey paid tribute to the victims whose support for the police investigation.

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.”