SHOWN SHELLAM FROM HEREFORD SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN LEOMINSTER

In a case that has shocked the local community, Shawn Shellam, a 30-year-old resident of Nolan Road in Hereford, has been sentenced to a decade behind bars for serious non-recent child sexual offences committed in Leominster. The sentencing took place at Worcester Crown Court, where Shellam pleaded guilty to multiple charges related to the abuse of young children.

On February 27, the court heard that Shellam admitted to one count of gross indecency with a child under the age of 14, along with 13 counts of indecent assault involving a child under 14. These offences spanned a period from 2000 to 2002, during which the victims, two young girls, were aged between four and six years old. The crimes were committed when Shellam himself was between 12 and 14 years old, highlighting the disturbing nature of the case.

The investigation was conducted by West Mercia Police, who uncovered evidence of sexual misconduct that had taken place over two years, involving vulnerable young children. The offences included acts of penetrative sexual activity and inappropriate touching, causing significant concern among authorities and the community alike.

Earlier in February 2019, Shellam had already admitted to a series of indecent assaults against the two girls. The court was informed that Shellam’s actions occurred during his youth, between September 2000 and September 2002. He was arraigned at Worcester Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to 13 child sex offences, including one charge of indecency with a child and 12 counts of indecent assault. He denied a separate charge of rape, which the prosecution chose not to pursue further, and the case was scheduled for sentencing.

Given that Shellam was under 18 at the time of the offences, the maximum sentence the court could impose was 10 years. Judge Jim Tindal ordered a pre-sentence report to assess Shellam’s current risk level and dangerousness, emphasizing the importance of an updated evaluation before final sentencing. The judge acknowledged Shellam’s prior lengthy custodial history, including an extended sentence for public protection, which further underscored the gravity of his crimes.

The case was scheduled for a one-hour sentencing hearing on March 19, where Judge Tindal indicated that a long custodial sentence was inevitable. He explained that the report was necessary to provide a comprehensive understanding of the defendant’s current risk, not as an alternative to immediate custody. The court’s decision reflects the serious nature of the offences and the need for appropriate punishment and assessment of future risk.