CHRISTOPHER SELDON EXETER HOSPITAL SECURITY OFFICER SENTENCED FOR RAPE AND CHILD PREGNANCY IN EXETER

In April 2022, Christopher Seldon, a man previously released from custody, faced the consequences of his heinous actions committed years earlier. The events date back to 2013 when Seldon, then a 46-year-old security officer at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, was convicted of a series of serious sexual offenses involving a vulnerable young girl.

According to court records, the victim was only 15 years old at the time she sought refuge at Seldon’s residence in Exeter. She had fled her troubled home environment marked by violence, and social workers, trusting Seldon’s responsible role at the hospital, approved her stay with him. Seldon appeared to be a caring and respectable family man, with a wife, a stepdaughter, and a stable job, which contributed to the social workers’ confidence in his suitability as a guardian.

However, beneath this facade, Seldon exploited her trust and vulnerability. He lured her into his home under the guise of offering her safety and support but soon subjected her to violence and coercion. The girl was forcibly raped multiple times, with Seldon threatening to send her back onto the streets if she disclosed what was happening. Over the course of nearly five years, she endured repeated assaults, which left her emotionally and physically scarred.

Her ordeal culminated in her becoming pregnant with Seldon’s child. Despite her suffering in silence, DNA testing eventually proved Seldon was the father, a fact he initially denied. During the trial, Seldon attempted to dismiss her allegations, claiming she had consented to the sexual encounters and even initiated them. He argued that she had consented and that the sex was consensual, a claim the jury rejected outright.

In court, Seldon’s defense was met with strong condemnation from the judge, Mr. Justice Burnett, who sentenced him to 18 years in prison. The judge emphasized the gravity of Seldon’s betrayal of trust, noting that he was supposed to provide a safe environment for the girl, not exploit her vulnerability for his own gratification. The judge also imposed a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, which prohibits Seldon from having unsupervised contact with minors, and mandated his registration on the sex offenders’ register for life.

During sentencing, the judge highlighted the severity of the crimes, stating, “You were supposed to provide this girl with a stable and safe environment in contrast to the one she had been removed from. Instead, within a matter of weeks, you were using her as a sexual plaything.” He further explained that Seldon’s actions led to her pregnancy, which she kept secret until last year, and that his attempts to portray her as a willing participant were completely disbelieved by the jury.

The victim’s impact statement was read aloud in court, revealing the profound and lasting trauma she endured. She described how Seldon’s attack left her confused, bleeding, and in pain, and how she was threatened with homelessness or institutionalization if she disclosed the abuse. Over the following weeks, she was assaulted multiple times—up to eleven incidents—before fleeing Seldon’s home. Her initial refuge was granted because she was fleeing violence at home, and social workers believed Seldon to be a trustworthy figure at the time.

When she finally reported the abuse, Seldon dismissed her claims, laughing and denying any wrongdoing. He told police, “It is ludicrous, it is rubbish,” and denied being the father of her child, claiming, “It’s not mine.” Prosecutor Mr. Andrew MacFarlane highlighted the lasting psychological scars, describing how the girl vividly remembered Seldon’s smell of stale tea and smoke, and how the emotional pain was worse than the physical injuries. She recounted feeling helpless, crying, and feeling as if she was dying inside, with no one to turn to for help.

Seldon’s defense attorney, Mr. David Evans, acknowledged that the case had caused turmoil within Seldon’s family, leading to the breakdown of his marriage. The court’s verdict and sentencing reflect the seriousness of these offenses, emphasizing the breach of trust and the lasting harm inflicted upon the young victim in Exeter.