A paedophile from Grays in Essex, who served as a church volunteer, was sentenced at Southend Crown Court for a series of historical child sex offences against young girls. Garth Ellis, aged 58 and residing in Lennox Close, Chafford Hundred, began abusing one victim when she was just seven years old. As a former driving instructor, he exploited his position to force two child victims to perform sex acts on him in his car, incorporating grooming tactics such as rewarding them with chocolate and sweets, which became a coded signal for sexual demands.
Prosecutor Matthew Paul described the abuse as 'egregious', highlighting Ellis's use of physical chastisement and manipulative grooming behaviour. When confronted by the victims years later, Ellis claimed, 'The devil came over me,' attempting to shift blame for his actions. Following their report to the police, officers discovered a secretly filmed video of a third young victim naked on one of Ellis's devices, leading to additional charges.
Ellis pleaded guilty to multiple serious offences, including rape, attempted rape, sexual assault, and voyeurism against girls under 13. He also admitted to making an indecent image and possessing two items of extreme pornography. An elder from a Grays church, where Ellis had been an active member for 40 years and involved in volunteering and charity work, submitted a letter to the court on his behalf, though the church's name was not disclosed in open court.
During the sentencing hearing on Tuesday, November 25, two victims delivered emotional impact statements from the witness box. One victim recounted, 'You told me to pray to God and ask for forgiveness. I almost feel brainwashed… You said the devil used you. Are you sick in the head?' She expressed feelings of betrayal, anger, guilt, and shame, fearing her silence had enabled further abuse, and described suffering from insomnia and flashbacks. The second victim confronted Ellis directly, stating his crimes were 'disgusting and unforgivable' and that his guilty plea did not erase the damage caused. She detailed her ongoing struggles with anxiety, panic attacks, fatigue, and a fear of being touched, declaring, 'This crime has changed the way I see the world and myself.' Quoting one of Ellis's own biblical preachings, she added, 'Actions done in the dark will come to light.'
Judge Samantha Leigh addressed the first victim, assuring her, 'You have absolutely nothing to feel guilty about. The guilt is all on the defendant.' Ruling Ellis 'clearly dangerous', the judge imposed a 13-year custodial sentence, extended by four years on licence. Additional measures included a 20-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and restraining orders prohibiting any contact with his victims for the same duration. Ellis showed no emotion throughout the proceedings and said nothing as he was led away to begin his sentence.
The case was reported exclusively by Charles Thomson, Crime & Investigations Reporter for the Thurrock Gazette, drawing on details from the Southend Crown Court proceedings. Essex Police investigated the historical abuse, uncovering the extent of Ellis's predatory behaviour within the south Essex community.