Search results for Kent

Description

A registered sex offender who used photographs of people known to him and superimposed their faces onto pornographic images has been returned to prison.

Peter Smith, 75, was convicted in 2013 for possessing and making an indecent image of a child, as well as possessing an extreme pornographic image.

As part of his sentence, he was made subject of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO), which prohibited him from using image or video editing software and from possessing any device capable of storing digital images unless it was made available for examination by police officers.

On several occasions Smith was recalled to prison due to breaching the orders imposed on him.

Following his latest release from prison in July 2026, officers from Kent Police carried out an unannounced visit to his home address in Station Road, Rainham.

During a search of the property, officers found a USB stick concealed beneath a pillow. When a mobile phone and tablet were examined, officers identified several applications capable of editing images. Further analysis uncovered a number of indecent images of children and extreme pornographic images.

Officers also established that Smith had been digitally altering photographs by taking the faces of people known to him and superimposing them onto pornographic images.

Arrested

He was arrested and subsequently charged with making indecent images of children, possessing extreme pornography, creating non consensual intimate images, breaching the SOPO and failing to comply with notification requirements under the sex offenders register.

Smith pleaded guilty to the offences at an early hearing, and at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday 11 September 2026, he was jailed for 3 years.

Investigating officer Police Constable Ben Tanner said:

‘Smith's actions showed a blatant disregard for the restrictions imposed on him to protect the public and prevent further offending.

‘The discovery of indecent images of children, extreme pornography and non consensual altered images demonstrates the importance of the proactive work carried out by officers who monitor registered sex offenders in Kent.

‘We will continue to take action against anybody who breaches the conditions placed upon them and poses a risk to others.’

Description

A Gravesend rapist has been jailed after admitting to multiple child sex offences.

An investigation was launched into Wayne Hodges after a young victim reported he had targeted them.

Upon his arrest in May 2025, officers reviewed his mobile phone and recovered indecent images of children.

Court

Appearing at Maidstone Crown Court in March 2026, Hodges, of Wilberforce Way, Gravesend pleaded guilty to numerous offences against the child including rape, sexual assault and making indecent images.

On Friday 11 September, he was jailed for 17 years 3 months. When he becomes eligible for parole, Hodges will be subject to a further 8 years on licence.

The 55 year old was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and has been placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Nick Pebody said:

‘Hodges appalling crimes have rightly resulted in a long sentence that we hope will give some sense of closure to the victim in this case.

‘I would like to commend his victim on their courage in disclosing their ordeal and supporting our investigation. We are pleased that the evidence presented to the court left him no other choice than to plead guilty.

‘The additional restrictions placed on him by the judge will ensure that when he is eventually released, we can monitor his conduct very closely indeed.’

Description

A Medway sex offender who repeatedly breached a court order is back behind bars.

In 2018, Ian Collard became subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) after he was convicted of attempting to cause a girl to engage in sexual activity.

This prohibited him from using social media, dating applications or websites, and from accessing the internet without notifying the authorities. It also required him to make any devices available for inspection by officers upon request and to live at approved premises in Beckenham.

Collard repeatedly breached the terms of the order and has previously been returned to prison as a result.

Following his latest release, Kent Police received a report on 20 June 2026 from a woman who had seen previous media coverage relating to Collard's conviction. She told officers he had been communicating with her via social media, engaging in conversations of a sexual nature and claiming to be homeless and wanting to move in with her.

The 36 year old, formerly of Station Road, Gillingham, was arrested on 6 July and later charged with 12 breaches of the SHPO.

He pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing and, at Maidstone Crown Court on 4 September 2026, was jailed for 3 years and 3 months.

Detective Constable James Neville said:

'Collard is a high risk sex offender who continues to show a blatant disregard for the restrictions imposed on him by the courts.

'These measures are in place to protect the public, yet he has repeatedly chosen to ignore them despite previous convictions and prison sentences for similar breaches.

'His persistent offending demonstrates an ongoing risk to others, and we will continue to take action whenever he fails to comply with these conditions. This sentence reflects the seriousness of his behaviour and sends a clear message that anyone who repeatedly breaches orders designed to safeguard the public can expect to be brought back before the courts.'

Description

Dartford coach driver Liam Ross has 12-year sentence increased to 15 years after raping two schoolgirls

A coach driver who raped a 12-year-old girl and a 16-year-old girl in Bexley has had his prison sentence increased after the Attorney General referred the case as unduly lenient.

Liam Ross, 30, of Dartford, Kent, was originally jailed for 12 years with a one-year extended licence at Woolwich Crown Court on 2 March 2026. On 3 September 2026, the Court of Appeal increased the term to 15 years’ imprisonment, with the one-year licence extension remaining, after intervention by Attorney General Ellie Reeves KC MP.

Ross, who was 29 at the time of the offences, met the 16-year-old over social media and pursued a sexual relationship with her, meeting her on multiple occasions and giving her money. He later received a police warning letter that the relationship put him at risk of criminal behaviour, but continued anyway.

In April 2025 he raped the 16-year-old after she became unconscious through alcohol. In May 2025 he provided alcohol to both girls, engaged in sexual activity with them, raped the 12-year-old, filmed the abuse and gave them money. Police later found indecent images of children and video recordings of some of the May 2025 offences on his phone.

Ross claimed he believed the 12-year-old was old enough to consent. Rape of a child under 13 is a strict liability offence, so a defendant’s belief about the child’s age or consent is irrelevant. Judge Ruth Downing accepted that he believed the girl was older and said she thought the same when she saw the victim.

The judge described the case as “difficult and rather disturbing”, saying Ross had pursued “lawful but inappropriate” relationships with schoolgirls over the age of consent. A pre-sentence report pointed to predatory and reckless traits; Judge Downing said she disagreed with much of it, but was confident he would realise the “utter folly” of pursuing sexual relationships with 16-year-old girls.

“This might send a message to those who think sailing close to the wind, being risky, is something they might like to do,” she said.

Ross was a coach driver who frequently transported schoolchildren. The court was told his offending was not connected to his work.

Ellie Reeves said: “Liam Ross is a sexual predator who exploited and raped two young girls. I welcome the court’s decision to increase his sentence following my referral.

“My thoughts are with the victims who have shown courage and bravery in coming forward. Violence against women and girls is a national epidemic, and stopping it remains my number one priority as Attorney General. I will continue to push for sentences that reflect the severity of these crimes.”

Convictions

• Rape of a child under 13  
• Assault of a child under 13 by penetration  
• Paying for sexual services of a child  
• Causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity  
• Causing or inciting sexual exploitation of a child  
• Rape  
• Sexual assault  
• Two counts of taking indecent photographs of a child  
• Three counts of making indecent photographs of a child

Description

A man has pleaded guilty to 49 child sexual offences.

Mark South, 38, a Jamaican national from Ashford, Kent, appeared at Winchester Crown Court on Tuesday, where he was due to stand trial. However, he pleaded guilty to a total of 49 offences, including, engaging in sexual activity with a child, taking and distributing indecent images of children, blackmail, engaging in sexual communication with a child, inciting a child into sexual exploitation, and causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.

A large and complex investigation into South began in May 2023 after police were alerted to information by a safeguarding officer at a local school in Swindon.

An investigation carried out by Wiltshire Police's Major Crime Investigation Team, led by DC Geoff Newnham, uncovered extensive offending by South. He used several social media platforms, often operating under a multitude of aliases to contact young girls and arrange sexual encounters in exchange for money and other items, including vapes and trainers.

His victims were located across the country, from Essex to Cornwall.

Detective Constable Geoff Newnham, of the Major Crime Investigation Team, said:

"South crossed county boundaries to commit some of the most serious offences imaginable against vulnerable children, emboldened by what he believed was the anonymity of the internet.

"Over a number of years, he used a complex network of social media aliases, burner phones and prepaid numbers to groom, manipulate and blackmail children into sexual exploitation across a wide geographical area.

"This investigation has involved specialist child abuse investigation teams, major crime investigators, digital forensic experts, victim identification officers and dedicated prosecutors from the Organised Child Sexual Abuse Unit, all of whom have worked tirelessly to build a compelling case and bring South before the courts.

"We must not underestimate the profound and lasting harm his offending has caused to children and their families. It is thanks to the extraordinary courage of the victims that justice has been achieved. I am particularly pleased that they will not now have to relive their traumatic experiences by giving evidence at trial following South's last minute guilty pleas.

"I hope this case sends a clear message to anyone experiencing abuse that they will be listened to, supported and taken seriously. Equally, it should serve as a warning to offenders who believe they can hide behind a computer screen. The reality is that law enforcement has the capability and determination to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.

"Finally, I would like to thank the victims, witnesses and their families for their patience, resilience and unwavering support throughout what has been a lengthy and complex investigation. Without their determination, we would not be here today."

Description

A rapist has been jailed for 2 decades after a brutal assault in Gravesend.

At a petrol station on City Way, Rochester on Saturday 18 October 2025, Louis Taylor’s injured and shaken victim asked members of public to call police.

Officers attended and took the victim into their care. Taylor was arrested the same day.

Attack

She disclosed how the 32 year old had assaulted her, grabbing her hair and neck and dragging her around a room. He also kicked her repeatedly while wearing steel toe capped boots, punched her and hit her with a hoover pole causing significant injuries.

Taylor then sexually assaulted and raped the victim.

After this ordeal, he ordered her into a car and threatened to harm her if she ‘made a sound’. Driving into Rochester, it was only when he had to stop at a petrol station that she could alert anyone.

Investigation

Taylor was arrested promptly and, whilst in custody, an investigation was launched during which the victim was supported by a specially trained sexual offences liaison officer.

Further enquiries uncovered more offences, namely a previous rape and an assault. 

Court

Louis Taylor pleaded guilty to 8 charges, specifically three counts of rape, wounding with intent, assault by penetration, burglary with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm, attempted grievous bodily harm and kidnapping.

Further charges, including intentional suffocation, sexual assault and assault, will lie on file.

At Woolwich Crown Court on Friday 21st August 2026, Taylor, of no fixed address, was sentenced to 20 years in prison. He has also been placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.

Serious danger

Investigating officer Detective Constable Rachel Ford said:

‘Taylor’s horrific offending clearly shows how he is a serious danger to women and to society as a whole.

‘The severity of his sentence reflects that of his crimes as well as the trauma he has caused his victim.

‘The judge commended the victim's bravery, and she has shown immense courage in providing key evidence which enabled justice to be served.

‘Kent Police is committed to ensuring all victims of violence against women and girls receive vital support and we will always seek to hold offenders to account.  

‘In this case I am satisfied Taylor is behind bars where he cannot continue to cause any further harm like that of which he has already inflicted.’

Description

An offender from Canterbury has been sentenced to prison for the sexual abuse of two children.

Investigators were made aware that indecent images of children had been uploaded to the internet by an account that was associated to Luke Johnson. On Monday 13 October 2025, a warrant was conducted at a proetry in Canterbury.

Four mobile phones were seized from the house as well as a memory card. Johnson was not present but was arrested later the same day and released on bail whilst an investigation was launched.

Following a forensic review of the seized property, detectives found over 25 incident images and videos of children. Upon recovering the images, it became apparent that Johnson had been abusing the young victims, alongside creating images of them.

Johnson was further arrested for the offence of taking indecent images of children and sexual assault on 23 March 2026. He was later charged with 4 offences and remanded in custody until his sentencing.

He pled guilty to the charges and on Friday 21 August 2026, Johnson, 36, of Old Park Avenue, was sentenced to 6 years in prison. He will also be subject to a period of 4 years on licenced supervision, as well as a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for the rest of his life.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Amber Pollitt said:

‘The indecent images recovered from Luke Johnson’s devices revealed the extent of the abuse he inflicted, however the swift identification of the victims by my team meant that safeguarding was put in place at the earliest opportunity.

‘Johnson showed no remorse for his actions throughout the entire court process, and thanks to the families’ support and the dedication of the investigating team, he has been brought to justice.’

Description

A registered sex offender from Gillingham has been jailed for failing to comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

In 2025, Jack Stevens was convicted of making indecent images of children and became subject to strict conditions on his conduct.

A 10 year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) was put in place which included stringent restrictions around his use of the internet including using or possessing any electronic device capable of accessing the internet.

Visit

On 14 January 2026, investigators made a regular visit to Stevens’ home address and asked him if he had additional devices that they were unaware of.

He denied having anything which hadn’t been declared.

A search of the property by Police Dog Oakley located a Samsung tablet which had been wrapped in a curtain and hidden behind the bed.

The device was then seized and an indecent image, along with a prohibited image of a child was found.

Arrest

Stevens was arrested for breaching a SHPO due to owning this device and using alias names on social media.

Stevens, 23, of Grange Road, Gillingham, was charged on 15 January and remanded in custody.

He pleaded guilty to the offence at Maidstone Crown Court and on Thursday 13 August, Stevens was sentenced to 3 years and 2 months’ imprisonment.

He will also continue to be subject to a further 10 year SHPO.

Investigating officer, Police Constable Leona Valsler said:

‘As a force we do everything within our powers to ensure offenders like Stevens face justice.

‘PD Oakley was able to provide invaluable support during a search of Stevens' house and enabled us to safeguard children and convict a high risk registered offender.’

Description

A rapist who threatened to kill his victim after assaulting her in a secluded area of Tunbridge Wells has been jailed.

Kent Police received a report on 18 October 2025 that the teenager had been assaulted by an unknown man near Mount Ephraim Road.

Officers attended and obtained a report from the victim. She bravely retraced her movements to identify the location of the offence.

Details about the suspect were also provided including that he had approached the victim whilst riding a bike and told her his name was 'Rocco'.

Extensive enquiries took place, including a review of CCTV footage, which identified a suspect.

On 20 October, Rocco Minafra of Judd Road in Tonbridge was arrested. The 47 year old, who is an Italian national, was later charged with rape, 3 counts of sexual assault and threats to kill.

Minafra denied the charges but was convicted on 16 June 2026 following a trial at Maidstone Crown Court. He was sentenced at the same court on Tuesday 18 August 2026 to 10 years and 9 months' imprisonment. He was also issued with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order lasting 15 years.

Detective Charlene Brent said:

'This was a terrifying and distressing ordeal for the victim who was assaulted by a stranger.

'I'd like to commend her bravery in reporting the offence, despite Minafra's threats towards her, and supporting the investigation. She provided key details to help identify the suspect and even went back to the scene with officers so they could find the exact location, which would have been especially hard for her.

'Despite Minafra trying to deny the offences, the diligent work from the investigation team proved he was lying. I hope the victim can find some form of closure knowing he is behind bars.'

Description

A sex offender from Dover who was convicted of multiple offences against a child victim has been jailed for 12 years.

Barry Milburn, 46, pleaded guilty to numerous sexual assaults, including 2 counts of rape, before Canterbury Crown Court.

Investigation
Milburn’s crimes came to light after the child made a disclosure to friends in December 2024. Trusted adults were alerted and a report was made to Kent Police, leading to Milburn’s arrest the same day.

An investigation was immediately launched, involving specialist detectives from the force, which established that Milburn had offended on several occasions.

Extensive enquiries were completed and complex evidence analysed, resulting in charges brought against Milburn in March 2026.

Jailed
He admitted carrying out 9 sexual offences on the young victim and, on Friday 14 August 2026, was sentenced at the same court.

In addition to his jail term, Milburn, formerly of Athol Terrace in Dover, will be required to serve one year on licence when he is released. He will be subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order, and to notification requirements of the sex offender register for life.

Investigating officer, PC Ollie Stevens, said:

‘The courage shown by the young victim in this case cannot be overstated.

'As soon as the disclosure was made, our specialist officers acted swiftly to safeguard the child and begin a detailed investigation – which, in cases such as this one, can involve extensive enquiries over many months. Officers will painstakingly examine evidence from multiple sources to build the strongest possible case, while supporting vulnerable victims through the criminal justice process.

‘This resulted in a significant number of charges being authorised and a custodial sentence for Milburn, with measures put in place to prevent him offending in the future.

'We remain committed to protecting vulnerable people and will continue to work tirelessly to bring offenders before the courts to be held accountable for their actions.'

Description

Speedy investigative work by officers helped identify a victim of a repeat sex offender from Tonbridge whilst he was in custody.

Luis Clifton was arrested on 22 April 2026 on suspicion of breaching his Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), following an unannounced visit by officers to his home address.

Devices were seized including a phone, which he was not permitted to have.

Whilst he was being interviewed in custody, specialist officers trawled through his phone and found the 22 year old had been communicating with an underage teenage girl on a social media app.

This was a further breach of his SHPO and the investigators pursued immediate lines to identify the vulnerable victim. She was contacted along with her parents and provided evidence of further offences.

Clifton, of Oakmead in Tonbridge, was further arrested for these additional offences whilst he was in detention. He was later charged with 6 counts of sexual activity with a child, breach of his SHPO, failure to comply with the Sex Offenders Register requirements, 2 counts of making indecent images of children and threatening to share an intimate photograph.

He pleaded guilty and was sentenced on Monday 27 July at Maidstone Crown Court to 7 years' imprisonment. He was also given a 10 year restraining order against the victim and his SHPO has been extended.

Detective Maddison Jarvis, investigating officer, said:

‘Our investigators worked diligently under pressure in a race against the custody clock to identify and contact the victim whilst Clifton was detained. This ensured he was arrested for further, and more serious, offences about which he was then interviewed.

'Clifton is a depraved individual who showed no regard for the restrictions imposed by the court that allowed him to live in the community. Instead, he wrongly believed he could get away with committing further offences.

'We regularly monitor sex offenders to ensure they comply with the conditions placed on them and will take action if we believe they are being broken, as in this case.

'For anyone who is a victim of this type of crime, I would urge you to please report it to police. It is never too late to contact us and our specialist investigators will listen to you and support you throughout.'

Description

A Maidstone sex offender is starting a prison sentence after investigators tracked down 5 of his victims.

In November 2022, Kent Police received information from a third-party that Tony Mansford had raped a teenager more than a decade earlier.

Officers quickly identified the victim who reported further offences. Mansford was interviewed under caution after which further enquiries were undertaken.

Investigators then located 4 more of Mansford’s victims who said he had targeted them when they were children. A sixth victim also came forward to make a report.

In March 2023, Mansford, of Concord Avenue in Chatham, but previously from Maidstone, was arrested. He was later charged with 2 counts of rape, 9 counts of indecent assault, attempting to indecently assault, 2 counts of sexual activity with a child, causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, sexual assault and child cruelty.

He pleaded not guilty but following a trial at Maidstone Crown Court was convicted of all the offences. Mansford, 58, was sentenced on Thursday 30 July 2026 at the same court to 25 years' imprisonment.

Detective Sergeant Helen Bateman said:

'The investigating officer involved in this case went above and beyond to establish the full extent of Mansford's offending. They worked diligently to identify and engage with victims, ensuring they received the support they needed.

'I would like to commend each victim who showed immense courage in supporting the investigation and bringing Mansford to justice.

‘I would encourage anyone who has been the victim of a similar offence to contact us, regardless of when it occurred. Our specialist officers are here to listen and support you.'

Description

A sex offender has been jailed after targeting a child on the Isle of Sheppey.

An investigation was launched into Joseph Hatton after his victim disclosed they had been indecently touched in the past.

Arrest

Hatton was arrested on 27 September 2025 and a review of his mobile phone uncovered hundreds of indecent images of children.

The 40 year old was later charged with multiple offences including sexual activity with a child, making indecent images of a child and possessing extreme pornographic images.

Court

Hatton, of Plough Road, Eastchurch, denied the allegations but was convicted of all counts by a jury at Maidstone Crown Court.

At the same court on Wednesday 29 July 2026, he was sentenced to 6 years and 10 months’ imprisonment.

Hatton will also be subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and has been placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.

Investigating Officer Detective Constable Robert Hughes said:

‘Hatton’s vile crimes have had a significant impact on his young victim, and his denials to the jury have only added to their trauma. I would like to commend their courage in coming forward and supporting the case against him.

‘Hatton’s possession of indecent images show he remains a risk to children and it is quite right he is now behind bars. His conduct will be restricted by a court order when he is eventually released and any breaches will lead to his immediate arrest.’

Description

A rapist has been jailed after targeting a teenage victim.

Dane Perren, of Sittingbourne, was accused of raping the young woman in June 2023.

The 41-year-old was charged with rape, attempted rape, assault by penetration and sexual assault.

Perren denied the sexual offences and was put on trial at Maidstone Crown Court.

A jury found him guilty of all charges last Thursday (July 23).

The following day, he was sentenced to seven years in prison.

He has also been put on the Sex Offenders’ Register and is subject to an indefinite restraining order.

Description

A rapist who spent two decades using secret cameras to spy on women and children has been jailed for more than 20 years.

Former Gravesend resident Alan Davies hid the devices where he knew his victims were likely to get undressed, with Kent Police identifying 39 different people he had watched including 21 children.

Some of the recordings were also found to have been shared with others online.

Davies’ offending came to light in December 2024 when a victim reported she had been repeatedly raped and abused by him when she was young.

Officers seized his electronic devices as part of their enquiries and found hundreds of secretly recorded videos dating back to 2004, as well as a clip of him installing one of the hidden cameras.

This led to other victims being contacted, with three confirming they had also been sexually assaulted by Davies in the past.

He was additionally found to have had a total of around 900 child abuse images in his possession, and had engaged in an obscene online conversation in which he discussed child sex offences.

Sentenced

Davies, 45, pleaded guilty to 73 separate crimes prior to being sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday 31 July 2026. He was handed a 21 year sentence and must serve at least two thirds before being eligible for parole. Upon release he must serve an additional 7 years on licence.  

Investigating officer Detective Constable Katie Poulter said:

‘Alan Davies is a dangerous sex offender whose crimes have had a long-lasting impact on the lives of the victims he abused. I would like to thank them for the courage and dignity they have shown in helping to bring him to justice.

‘The images and videos we discovered on Davies’ devices demonstrate a shocking intrusion into the privacy of 39 adults and children who had no idea he was recording them for his own sexual gratification. That he did so for 20 years and shared some of the images online proves that he did not care or regret what he was doing.

‘His offending has now caught up with him and he will quite rightly spend many years in prison where he will able to cause no further harm to innocent people.’