BENJAMIN SELDON FROM TAUNTON JAILED FOR SEX OFFENCES AGAINST 10-YEAR-OLD BOY

In a harrowing case that has shocked the community of Taunton, Benjamin Seldon, aged 21 and residing in Greenlands, has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison after admitting to a series of serious sexual offences involving a young boy aged just 10 years old.

The sentencing took place at Taunton Crown Court, where the judge delivered a stern message to Seldon, who was visibly distressed and clutching his side as he was told he had 'stolen years of youth' from his young victim. The court heard that Seldon engaged in a disturbing pattern of sexual misconduct with the boy over a period spanning from July 1 to August 29 of the previous year.

Prior to his trial, Seldon pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including three counts of sexual activity with a child under 16 and three counts of sexual assault against a child under 13. Additionally, he had previously admitted to possessing indecent images of children, which further compounded the severity of his crimes.

Prosecutor Tara Wolfe outlined how Seldon had initially befriended the boy and some of his friends during the summer months. Seldon’s home was accessible to children, as he had a swimming pool where they often played. The victim’s mother believed her son’s new friend, Ben, was of a similar age, as he frequently returned home with sweets, gifts, and money. However, her concerns grew as her son’s behavior changed, and he began to complain of physical discomfort.

Eventually, the boy confided in his mother that Seldon had been rude to him and had threatened to kill him if he disclosed what had happened. During police interviews, the young victim revealed that Seldon had masturbated in front of him on several occasions, including in a parked car on his driveway. Seldon had also threatened violence, telling the boy that if he did not allow him to touch him, he would be punched and hurt.

The abuse continued despite the boy’s pleas for Seldon to stop. On one occasion, Seldon shot the boy in the thigh with a BB gun when he refused to cooperate. The court was also told that Seldon showed the boy pornographic images on his phone. When police arrested Seldon, they discovered 26 indecent images of children stored on his device.

Seldon denied the charges, claiming that he suffered from anxiety and had difficulty relating to peers his own age. He insisted he had not physically touched the boy, but he refused to comment on the images found on his phone.

In a victim impact statement, the boy’s mother described the profound psychological damage inflicted by Seldon. Her son had begun to self-harm, spoke openly about suicidal thoughts, and was haunted by Seldon’s face everywhere he looked.

As part of his sentence, Seldon is now subject to a Serious Harm Prevention Order and a Restraining Order that will remain in place indefinitely. He has also been placed on the Sex Offenders’ Register for an indefinite period, reflecting the seriousness of his crimes and the ongoing risk he poses to the community of Taunton.