MICHAEL SELLINGS SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS IN PRISON FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN YEOVIL

In a significant case that has shocked the community of Yeovil, a local man named Michael Sellings has been sentenced to a lengthy prison term of 12 years after admitting to multiple serious sexual offences involving children. The sentencing took place at Taunton Crown Court on Friday, July 15, with the judge emphasizing the profound impact of Sellings' actions on his victims' lives.

Sellings, aged 63 and formerly residing on Horsey Lane in Yeovil, was also subjected to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order as part of his sentencing. This order aims to restrict his future conduct and prevent any further harm, reflecting the gravity of his crimes. The offences for which he pleaded guilty spanned a period from November 2016 to June 2021 and involved two young girls, whose lives were irreparably affected by his actions.

The case against Sellings was initiated after authorities received intelligence indicating his involvement in child exploitation. Officers from Avon and Somerset Police acted swiftly, arresting him and executing a search warrant at his residence. During the search, law enforcement officials uncovered a disturbing collection of digital material. They seized 11 different items that contained photographs of children, which contributed to the evidence against him.

Further investigation revealed that Sellings possessed an extensive collection of indecent images, totaling over 7,000 photographs. Among these, 1,751 images were classified as Category A, indicating the most severe level of indecency. The police also discovered 28 images that Sellings had personally taken, which depicted two children under the age of 13 in compromising situations.

At the court hearing, Sellings admitted to a series of serious charges. These included three counts of raping a child under the age of 13, and one count of causing or inciting a girl under 13 to engage in sexual activity. He also pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of a child, as well as three counts of taking such indecent images. Additionally, he admitted to possessing extreme pornographic images and prohibited images of children, highlighting the extent of his criminal activities.

The judge's remarks underscored the devastating effect of Sellings' crimes, stating that his actions had caused “absolute devastation” to the lives of his victims. The sentence reflects the serious nature of his offences and the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat child exploitation and protect vulnerable individuals from harm.