August 2023

Man jailed for 14 years following sexual abuse of child during the 1990s

“He ruined my childhood and changed my life in such a negative way. It has impacted on every part of my life.”

Those are the words of a woman who was subjected to sexual abuse during a three year reign of terror during the early and mid-1990s when she was a child and which were read out at Southampton Crown Court as the man responsible for the attack was sentenced to 14 years in prison.

David Sydney Kellett, 75, of Sycamore Drive, Brotton, Saltburn-by-the-Sea in Cleveland was convicted at Southampton Crown Court on 14 August of five counts of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 14, two counts of gross indecency with a girl under the age of 14 and two counts of attempted rape of a girl under 16.

He was found not guilty of one count of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 14.

The offences took place against a child between 1993 and 1996.

In having her victim personal statement read out during the trial, the court heard that one of the biggest impacts that this experience has had on the victim was her relationships with those closest to her following the years of abuse – including past and present intimate relationships.

While she also suggested that she has nightmares where her children are being subjected to abuse by Kellett; leaving her unable to sleep properly for a number of days.

The victim also shared how the impacts of Kellett’s actions have had a negative impact on how she parents her own children, citing “To say that I am overprotective doesn’t really describe it. I am scared to let them out of my sight. I find it difficult to let them go to a friend’s house to play and I can’t let them go unless I know the parents of their friends. I just don’t trust people around my children.”

The court also heard how the woman often feels very low and anxious – with those feelings heightened after she had officially reported Kellet for the offences he had committed.

Kellett was jailed at Southampton Crown Court to 14 years in prison.

In addition, he was placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.