Search results for Kent

Description

A rapist from Ashford has been sentenced to nine years in prison.

Matthew Thompson, 36, was also found guilty of strangulation and falsely imprisoning his victim on 6 December 2024.

During the incident, Thompson persisted with sexual intercourse against their wishes. When they attempted to leave, he squeezed his victim’s neck and grabbed their hair to restrict their movement.

His actions were reported the following day and an investigation was launched, resulting in Thompson’s arrest on 9 December and subsequent charges.

He denied all accusations against him but, after a seven day trial at Canterbury Crown Court, a jury found him guilty.

Thompson, of Grampion Close, Ashford, was sentenced at the same court on Friday 20 February 2026 to nine years’ imprisonment with an extended licence period of three years.

Detective Constable Heidi Cole said:

‘Thompson put his victim through a horrific ordeal where they were made to feel powerless and voiceless. It is only through their courage that he will now face the consequences of his actions.

‘We’re very pleased he is now behind bars, where he can’t be a danger to the public for a long time.’

Description

A convicted sex offender from Maidstone has been sent back to jail for seven years after he was caught re-offending, six weeks after being released from prison.

Lee Webster was caught using a false name and claiming to be 28 years old to send explicit messages and images to who he believed was a 12 year old girl.

He also attempted to arrange to meet for sexual activity.

Following an investigation, the 39 year old was arrested at his home address in Fairmeadow, Maidstone.

Charged

Lee Webster was charged with attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity, attempting to facilitate a child sex offence, breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and failing to comply with the sex offenders register requirements.

He was sentenced on Tuesday 17 February 2026 at Maidstone Crown Court to seven years in prison with a further five years on licence.

Police Sergeant Gemma Hemsley said:

'We monitor and manage registered sex offenders within our communities to ensure they comply with their conditions and to reduce the risk of further offending.

'However, Webster is a prolific offender who was arrested just 42 days after his release from prison for breaching these conditions and committing new offences.

'He is a manipulative individual who not only provided false details regarding his name and age, but also attempted to conceal evidence by deleting social media apps from his phone.

'Webster has repeatedly attempted to deceive authorities and disregard the strict conditions placed upon him. His behaviour highlights the continued danger he poses, and I welcome the court’s decision to hold him accountable for his actions.'

Description

A delivery driver who sexually assaulted two women at their Maidstone homes has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison.

On 26 June 2025, Shafiullah Rasooli delivered food to a woman who had ordered it online. As she opened the door, he made inappropriate remarks before stepping into the property and sexually assaulting her.

He left the address and then returned to commit a further sexual offence, before taking her phone to enter his contact details. Over the following days, Rasooli made multiple calls to the victim’s phone, causing her considerable distress.

A week later, on 3 July , Rasooli made a further delivery to another woman. He made indecent comments to the victim and asked about her relationship status before sexually assaulting her.

Both women reported the incidents to Kent Police and an investigation was launched.

Investigators reviewed CCTV in the area to identify Rasooli’s vehicle. This, accompanied by screenshots of the victims’ orders and the contact details he had left with one of the victims’ phones, assisted officers to track him down.

Charged

The 29 year old of St Peter’s Street, Maidstone, was later charged with three counts of sexual assault.

He denied the offences and was convicted following a trial at Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court.

On Wednesday 25 February 2026, Rasooli, an Aghan national, was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court to two and a half years’ imprisonment. He was also handed a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Detective Constable Matthew Kerr said:

‘Rasooli took advantage of his job to prey on the two vulnerable victims who had simply ordered food. His actions made them feel unsafe and violated in their own homes and he arrogantly thought he could get away with it.

'However, a prompt investigation led to his arrest and he is now serving a prison sentence.

'I would like to commend both victims for courageously reporting these crimes and then assisting us throughout the subsequent trial. I hope they can find some closure knowing their actions have protected other potential victims from harm.’

Description

A rapist who attacked his victim in Ashford after they agreed to meet on a date has been jailed.

Adrian Richardson, formerly of Mersey Road in Tonbridge, was found guilty of two sexual offences following a trial at Canterbury Crown Court.

Investigation

Kent Police launched an investigation after Richardson’s victim reported her ordeal to them in May 2023.

The offender and the woman had met online and she later met with him in person, but told him she did not want sex.

Ignoring her wishes, Richardson sexually assaulted her before raping her.

The victim managed to alert a trusted friend and later called the police to report Richardson’s crimes.

Richardson, 46, was arrested and, following an investigation, was charged on 18 April 2024.

Jailed

After pleading not guilty, he was convicted of rape and sexual assault in majority jury verdicts.

On 19 February 2026, Richardson was sentenced at the same court to seven years’ imprisonment. He will be subject to notification requirements of the sex offenders’ register for life.

Detective Sergeant Luke Stainer said:

'Richardson showed no respect for this woman, who had set her boundaries, and subjected her to a sickening ordeal that has had a long-lasting impact. I’m pleased that the offender will spend a significant period behind bars and will be subject to notification requirements for life, providing further protection to safeguard against future victims. I hope it helps the victim in this case to move forward from the horrific experience that she was made to endure.

'Sexual criminals who would prey on women in this way need to understand that no means no, and should expect to be tracked down and made to answer for their actions. Specialist support will be offered to victims who come forward and reports will be fully investigated.'

Description

A registered sex offender from Gillingham has been jailed for using private browsing mode when accessing the internet.

In 2015, Malcom Nix was found guilty of sexual offences involving children and became subject to strict conditions on his conduct. An indefinite sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) was put in place which included strict restrictions around his use of the internet, specifically that any device Nix uses to access the internet must have the capacity to retain and display his browsing history.

Phone review

On 9 September 2025, investigators made a regular visit to Nix’s home address when he refused to allow them entry. He was asked to hand over all internet enabled devices for inspection and gave the officers his mobile phone which was in his pocket.

Officers searched the phone and noticed that Nix had been using private browsing mode which is a direct breach of his SHPO.

On the following day, Malcom Nix, of Trafalgar Street, Gillingham, was charged and remanded in custody.

Imprisonment

He pleaded guilty to the offence at Maidstone Crown Court and on Wednesday 18 February, the 66 year old was sentenced to 13 months’ imprisonment. Nix will also continue to be subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

Investigating Officer, PC Areolito Gashi said:

‘We regularly visit registered sex offenders living in our communities to monitor their conduct and ensure they are complying with any conditions in place to prevent further crimes.‘

In this way, we endeavour to protect the most vulnerable in our community. Nix has shown that he remains a danger to children and, once his crimes were discovered, he was swiftly arrested and brought back before the court to answer for his actions.’

Description

A serial child rapist whose abuse spanned two decades has been jailed for 28 years but refused to attend his sentencing at Canterbury Crown Court, denying his victims closure.

Kevin Wernham, 54, from Ashford, was convicted of 28 offenses—including rape, sexual assault, and causing a child to engage in sexual activity—after a month-long trial in October last year.

Jurors heard how the mechanic, living on a caravan park in Aldington, preyed on young victims, plying one with alcohol, forcing others to watch pornography, and making them perform sexual acts. He even invited other men to join in and told one youngster not to reveal it, calling it their "shared, special grown-up thing."

Victims came forward with similar ordeals, leading to his conviction. The abuse had a "severe psychological and life-long impact," stealing their childhoods, said Judge Sarah Counsell.

One victim's statement, read by prosecutor Paul Valder, described:

"My daily life is a constant battle with emotions and unpredictable negativity—emotions such as rage, sorrow, shame, panic and terror. The quality of my life is marred by severe mood swings, making it a rollercoaster of emotions. I oscillate between feelings of despair and brief moments of positivity. The daily impact on my life is profound and I feel myself in a constant tug of war."

The victim also reported disturbed sleep, nightmares, flashbacks, hallucinations, and an "obsession" that Wernham still posed a threat.

Defending, Sarah O'Kane cited Wernham's health issues and enhanced prison status, arguing for a determinate sentence.

But Judge Counsell, noting a probation report's finding of no remorse and victim-blaming—Wernham maintained innocence, accused victims of perjury, and blamed another man—imposed an extended sentence to protect the public.

Addressing the empty dock, she said:

"These remarks are directed at Mr Wernham, although he has not been willing to attend this hearing to face the consequences of his actions. He was convicted by a jury at trial of what was serious and systematic sexual abuse of children. He took advantage and preyed on his victims’ vulnerabilities… stealing their childhoods. They learnt about sexual behaviour far too early and this will have a life-long impact on them all."

The judge added:

"He has not faced up to his actions" and still blames others. "He has maintained throughout that his victims are not telling the truth about what happened. The jury has found otherwise. He has suggested they had various incentives to lie and that one victim had a financial motive. His behaviour was truly a campaign of rape and sexual abuse against vulnerable children."

The report highlighted Wernham's "controlling, manipulative and distorted thinking," complete denial, no remorse, victim-blaming, and claims of a mistrial with "concocted" evidence.

Deeming him a high risk to children, Judge Counsell imposed a 30-year extended sentence: 24 years' imprisonment (serving at least two-thirds before Parole Board consideration), plus six years' extended license upon release.

This runs consecutively to a four-year determinate term, of which he serves half before the 24-year term begins.

Wernham must sign the sex offender register for life, comply with a sexual harm prevention order, and may be barred from working with children or vulnerable adults.

Description

A child sex offender from Margate who abused multiple victims has been jailed for 28 years.

Duncan Bayles, formerly of Northdown Road, was sentenced in relation to crimes committed against five children that began in the 1980s.

Investigation

Kent Police launched a specialist investigation in June 2019 after a man came forward to report how Bayles had abused him on several occasions when he was a boy.

Extensive enquiries were completed and complex evidence was obtained. It was established that a further three men had also been preyed upon while they were children.

Multiple victims

The young victims were sexually assaulted, manipulated, bribed with gifts in return for carrying out sexual acts and groomed to believe that Bayles’ behaviour was normal.

Bayles, 65, was arrested on 18 August 2020 and was later charged with 19 offences in relation to the reports, including gross indecency, indecent assault and attempted rape.

Having denied the offences, Bayles was found guilty of all charges on 24 October 2024, following a trial at Canterbury Crown Court.

Further victim

The court case relating to the young male victims led to a woman approaching Kent Police to report that the offender had also abused her as a child.

He threatened to harm the girl’s pets if she told anyone about him and made her think that she would not be believed if she reported his depravity.

Additional charges

Detectives launched a separate investigation, which resulted in Bayles facing an additional 17 charges including four counts of child rape.

Bayles again pleaded not guilty. A further trial took place at Canterbury Crown Court, resulting in his conviction on all counts in a unanimous jury verdict on 15 January 2026.

Convicted and jailed

On 6 February 2026, at the same court, Bayles was sentenced to 28 years in prison. He will spend a further two years on licence at the end of the custodial period and will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for life.

Detective Constable Pete Edwards said:

'This was a complex case and all of Bayles’ victims should be praised for their courage in coming forward, and for remaining steadfast throughout the process of bringing this predatory offender to justice.

'It is never too late to report a crime and Kent Police remains committed to supporting survivors of abuse, listening to them and pursuing offenders no matter how much time has passed.

'We recognise the impact that these horrific crimes have had on Bayles’ victims, and hope they will find some closure, knowing that this dangerous criminal is now behind bars. The restrictions to which he must adhere at the end of his long custodial period, which will remain in place for the rest of his life, will further protect against him reoffending and safeguard future potential victims.'

2024-10-26

Former Margate bar boss and previous childrens home worker Duncan Bayles will be sentenced in January after being found guilty of sex offences against children.

Mr Bayles was found guilty of 12 indecent assault charges against children aged below 14 years; six indecency with a child charges and one charge of attempted rape following a two trial at Canterbury Crown Court which concluded last week.

The offences took place in the 1980s and 1990s against four boys, then aged under 13, at two childrens homes in Ramsgate and Deal.

Mr Bayles, aged 64, of Northdown Road, has been remanded in custody and will return to the court on January 24 for sentencing.

Description

A convicted sex offender from Chatham who failed to comply with notification requirements has been jailed.

Terence Standage, 67, was issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order in 2021 after he was convicted of making indecent images of children and outraging public decency. He was jailed for 28 months.

After he was released and while on licence, the restrictions imposed on him stipulated that he should not use any device capable of storing digital images unless he notifies police and provides access.

Phone seized

On 2 February 2026 officers were alerted via monitoring software that he had created a social media account and his phone was seized. They also found Standage had disabled access to his photo gallery.

Standage, from Randall Road, Chatham was charged with breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and the next day was jailed for 12 months at Medway Magistrates’ Court.

Investigating officer, Police Constable Leona Valsler said:

‘Standage has a lengthy history of offending connected to both contact and non-contact offences against children.

‘Court orders such as these are there so convicted sex offenders can be closely monitored and help us safeguard potential future victims.

‘And as this case hopefully shows we will do everything within our powers to ensure offenders like him face the consequences.’

Description

A man from Faversham has been sentenced to six years and six months in prison following his conviction for rape and sexual assault offences.

David Jones, 26, of Feaver Drive, was found guilty of both offences following an eight day trial at Canterbury Crown Court.

Jones’s victim had disclosed to a family member that she had been raped at a property in Sittingbourne on 23 May 2022. She also detailed a further sexual assault which had taken place the following day.

Investigation launched

Kent Police launched an investigation after the woman reported the incidents on 5 June 2022.

David Jones was subsequently arrested on 9 June 2022 on suspicion of rape and assault of a female by penetration and was found guilty of both offences.

Jones was sentenced on 30 January 2026 and will also be subject to a restraining order and is required to sign on to the sex offender register for life.

Detective Constable Stephanie Wilson said:

‘Jones took advantage of his victim for his own sexual gratification and subjected her to a horrific sexual assault.

‘I am grateful to the victim for her support in securing a conviction and hope that the custodial sentence imposed brings her some closure.’

Description

A sex offender from Gillingham who coerced an underage girl into sending him indecent images has been jailed for five years.

Tobias Dadswell’s home in May Road was visited by officers on 16 June 2025 after he was suspected to have breached an existing Sexual Risk Order by having an internet-enabled phone.

The 21 year old directed officers to the device, with officers arresting him as a result.

Investigation

A review of the phone showed he had used online messaging platforms to contact users selling indecent images of children.

Profiles purporting to be teenage girls had also been contacted, with him requesting to meet up with them for money following sexual conversation.

A further search highlighted messages he had sent to a teenager unknown to him on a video-based social media platform.

He threatened to spread rumours online about them unless they sent him indecent material of themselves, which they complied with.

Dadswell was charged with nine offences the day after his arrest, with a further eight being added at a later date.

Court

Having been remanded in custody, Dadswell admitted to 11 of the counts including causing a child to engage in sexual activity, breaching his Sexual Risk Order and making indecent images of children. Another five counts will lie on file.

Being sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on Monday 19 January, he was jailed for five years and will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order upon his release.

Investigating officer PC Areolito Gashi said:

‘Dadswell’s offending in spite of his order shows him to be a persistent danger to children, and we are glad to see him receive a lengthy prison sentence.

‘His cruel actions have caused serious harm to a young person, and cases like this remind us of the importance of being alert and vigilant while online.’

Description

A Gillingham sex offender who raped a young child has been jailed for 13 years.

Andrew Clark was arrested on 18 June 2023 after his victim disclosed the abuse he had suffered to officers, and the 62 year old was later charged with six offences.

Court

Clark consistently denied his crimes, prompting a trial in November 2025 which resulted in the jury finding him guilty of rape, attempted rape, three counts of sexual assault and possession of indecent images.

In addition to his imprisonment, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order was also imposed during Clark’s sentencing at Maidstone Crown Court on Tuesday 3 February.

Investigating officer DC Jack Kennedy said:

‘Andrew Clark has caused serious harm to a young person and his sentence is justly deserved for his terrible crimes.‘He denied the offences, forcing his victim to go through a prolonged trial. I’d like to commend the victim for coming forward and I hope Clark’s imprisonment brings them a sense of closure.’

Description

A man caught by online paedophile hunters encouraging two "teenage" girls to engage in sexual acts has won his bid to keep unrestricted internet access.

Robbie Smith, 31, faced potential limits on his online activity under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) after his 2023 conviction.

But Folkestone Magistrates’ Court ruled such restrictions are not necessary or proportionate.

Smith was arrested in 2022 after evidence showed he encouraged two girls he believed were 13 to engage in sexual acts. The accounts were operated by adult decoys.

He initially denied the charges but later pleaded guilty to two counts of attempting to cause or incite a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity.

Smith received a nine-month suspended sentence, two years' supervision, and 10 years on the sex offenders’ register.

His legal team opposed the SHPO application by the Crown Prosecution Service and police. SHPOs are civil measures that can restrict internet use, contact with children, or device access to protect the public from sexual harm.

At the January 12 hearing, via video link from his Ashford home, prosecutor Terry Knox said Smith, then 28, believed the girls were 13: "He was 28 at the time. He thought the girls were 13, so it shows you the age difference."

Smith sent one "girl" a message admitting he could get in trouble, then blocked her. For the other, chats referenced school, but he called her "babe" and "gorgeous," discussed masturbation, and said it was natural for her to "play with her privates."

Mr. Knox added: "There are elements of a grooming nature, but then the paedo hunters come forward. The SHPO is needed to protect the public, or to protect children, or vulnerable adults."

Defender Nigel Riley argued an SHPO must be necessary and proportionate: "My client accepts these are serious matters, but an order of this nature being made, well, the court takes each case on its own facts. And on these particular facts, I will persuade you, it’s not necessary to make such an order. They are made in many cases, but not as a matter of routine."

He noted the offenses occurred nearly four years ago (February-April 2022), with no prior or subsequent sexual offenses, no breaches of notification requirements, and that an SHPO "should only be made at the end of a case, not some four years after the offence has been committed."

Mr. Riley said Smith had a psychiatric disorder, unstable personality, depressive disorder, and was socially isolated amid a health scare: "He was socially isolated and on his computer [a lot] and was particularly depressed."

He added: "There were no underage victims; the matter was reported to police by the paedophile hunters, the vigilante group, and there has been no further offending, and four years have gone by. Were he to reoffend, he would be prosecuted and could get custody. He accepted full responsibility and had genuine remorse and embarrassment; he doesn’t need a further order."

Bench chairman Ken Benn said: "We do not think a SHPO is proportionate to issue; the notification requirements are adequate."

He reminded Smith to comply with the register until its 10-year term ends.

Description

A Strood sex offender has been jailed after breaching a protective court order.

Kier Middleton-Seath was convicted in 2022 for possessing indecent images of children. His sentence placed him on the sex offenders register and required him to comply with the restrictions of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO). These included conditions around his use of internet enabled devices and access to children.

Investigation

In March 2025, detectives monitoring Middleton-Seath’s conduct identified he had committed multiple breaches of his court order. These included staying at a new address where a child was present, purchasing a phone without notifying the police and setting up a bank account without informing officers. He had also downloaded indecent images of children.

Arrest

Middleton-Seath was arrested whilst driving a vehicle in Anthonys Way, Strood, on 17 March. A search uncovered quantities of controlled drugs.

The 28-year-old was later charged with three counts of failing to comply with sex offender register notifications, three charges of breaching his SHPO, two counts of making indecent images of children and possession of cocaine and cannabis.

Middleton-Seath, of Cooling Road, Strood pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 28 months in prison on Tuesday 20 January 2026. His SHPO was also extended by 10 years.

‘Persistent danger’

Detective Sergeant Fleur Hardie said:

‘Some sex offenders when sentenced are given the opportunity to show they regret their previous behaviour and want to reform. They are then given strict conditions on their conduct which we regularly monitor.

‘Middleton-Seath has shown that he cannot be trusted to behave lawfully whilst residing in the community and this was swiftly identified by an officer checking his compliance. He will receive similar scrutiny when he is next released from prison.’

Description

A Sevenoaks resident who sexually abused a child has been jailed for five years.

Trevor Boakes targeted his young victim multiple times and in different locations in the 1990s.

He was arrested on 6 December 2022 after his offending had been reported to the police.

Boakes, of Woodside Road, Sundridge was charged with seven counts of indecent assault on a child, one count of attempted indecent assault and one of gross indecency with a child.

He pleaded not guilty at Southwark Crown Court and was convicted of all the offences following a five day trial.

On Friday 16 January 2026, the 65 year old was sentenced to five years' imprisonment.

Detective Constable Katy Saunders said:

‘Boakes took the opportunity to sexually abuse a vulnerable child several times thinking he could get away with his vile behaviour.

‘However, he has been made to answer for his crimes thanks to the courage of the victim who came forward to report their ordeal to the police. I hope the knowledge that Boakes has been sent to prison allows them to find some closure.

‘I would encourage anyone who suffered from sexual abuse in the past to contact us. Our specially trained officers will support you throughout and, with your assistance, seek to bring the person responsible to justice.’

Description

A rapist who told "outlandish" lies to discredit DNA evidence linking him to his crimes has been branded "a pathetic, dangerous man" upon being jailed.

Ricky Dighton, 39, denied abusing his victim, claiming "a number of sons in the world" he might have fathered could be responsible for the scientific evidence. He also accused involved parties of lying for money.

After pleading not guilty to multiple charges including rape and assault by penetration, he was convicted by a jury in August.

At his December 18 sentencing at Maidstone Crown Court, where he maintained innocence, Judge Gareth Branston deemed him a public danger, condemning his "appalling, selfish and wanton" behavior for sexual gratification.

The court heard devastating details of the "overwhelming" consequences. The prosecutor, visibly upset, read the victim's statement detailing severe psychological harm.

Other statements called Dighton's crimes "monstrous," condemned his lack of remorse, and described "the most horrific" acts of abuse, while praising the victim's "extraordinary bravery."

Defense counsel Beverley Cherrill admitted little could be said given his "vehement" denials, urging no extended sentence as risk could be managed via custody, sex offender notification, and a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

Judge Branston disagreed, imposing a 26-year extended sentence for significant risk: 22 years' imprisonment (serving at least two-thirds before parole consideration) plus four years' extended license.

He said the jury "saw through your lies" about "unidentifiable and mysterious" individuals, noting "immeasurable, everlasting and crushing" harm inflicted.

"These offences are some of the most serious and damaging. They involved targeting [the victim] and an ongoing denial in the face of overwhelming evidence," Judge Branston added. "There is a total lack of insight, a total lack of empathy. I am satisfied there will remain for the foreseeable future a significant risk to the public of serious harm by way of the commission of further offences."

Mitigation was limited to no relevant or recent convictions.

In conclusion: "Ricky Dighton, you are a pathetic man for not taking responsibility and a dangerous man."

Dighton must serve 14 years and eight months before parole eligibility, then face lifelong sex offender notification and an indefinite SHPO. His only reaction was a phone gesture to supporters as he left the dock.