Man jailed for child sexual offences in Dorset

64 year old Michael Kellard has been given an 18 year sentence

Author: Faye TryhornPublished 12th Dec 2023

A man's been jailed for 18 years for sexual offences against two boys age under 16 - with some of the crimes happening in Dorset.

64 year old Michael Kellard, from Dunkeswell in Devon, has been found guilty of three counts of rape, three counts of sexual activity with a child, four counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and five counts of indecent assault.

He's sentences at Bournemouth Crown Court to the prison term, as well as being placed on the sex offenders’ register for life, and given a sexual harm prevention order for 20 years.

The incidents occurred between 2000 and 2005 and involved boys that Kellard met through his job in go-karting.

The offences occurred in a number of locations across the country, including Dorset.

The investigation began in June 2021 after one of the victims reported the abuse they suffered to the police.

Detective Constable Andy Hale, of the Child Abuse Investigation Team (CAIT), said:

“Kellard subjected his victims to abhorrent sexual abuse and I would like to praise them for their strength in speaking out about what happened.

“I hope this case will show that we take all incidents of sexual abuse seriously, no matter when an incident occurred, and we will do all we can to ensure sexual offenders are brought to justice.

“Sexual abuse has a long-lasting impact on victims and I am pleased that following an investigation, Kellard has been held accountable for his crimes.”

You can report sexual abuse, of any form and any timeframe, to Dorset Police, by calling 101 and asking to speak to a trained officer.

If a victim is in immediate danger, you should always call 999.

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