A GO-KARTING instructor who sexually abused two teenagers has been sentenced to 18 years in prison.

Michael Kellard, 64, was found guilty of 15 child sex offences by a jury after a trial last month.

Kellard faced 17 child sex offences at Bournemouth Crown Court involving two young male victims dating back 20 years. He was found not guilty on two counts of rape.

The charges related to incidents which occurred from December 7, 2000, to May 2005.

Jurors found Kellard guilty of three counts of sexual activity with a child, three counts of rape, four counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and five counts of indecent assault on a male person.

Kellard, of Dunkeswell in Devon, will be banned from working with anyone under the age of 16 or in a vulnerable position.

He will serve 12 years in prison and the final 6 years on licence.

He has been put on the Sex Offenders Register for life and will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for 20 years which prevents him from having contact with anyone under the age of 18 without written consent.

Judge Susan Evans KC said in her sentencing remarks that Kellard "groomed" his victims, gave them alcohol and went on to sexually abuse them in his van, hotels, his mother's home and his brother's flat.

Judge Evans said: “You were a charismatic individual involved in a sport popular with teenage boys.

“You were regarded as the go-to guy for teenage boys aspiring to be racing drivers.

“You abused your position at the top of the sport.

“You took advantage of your position, and you knew the boys were vulnerable due to their ages.

"Karting is an expensive hobby which you subsidised on a basis to sexually abuse your victim.

“The effect of your abuse has had life-long and life-changing effects on your victims.”

Kellard was a go-karting enthusiast, travelling around the country, training and driving with young go-karters.

He also ran a kart shop at the Clay Pigeon raceway, off the A37 between Dorchester and Yeovil, where he would also frequently train young racers.

The two victims both met Kellard through go-karting.