Search results for Kent

Description

A man who raped a woman after plying her with drugs and alcohol has been jailed for 10 years.

Gary Duke encouraged his victim to drink champagne and smoke cannabis before sexually abusing her as she slept.

Kent Police was called on 13 November 2022 to a report of rape at a property in Maidstone.

Duke consumed alcohol and illicit substances and persuaded the victim to do the same.

Once the woman was unconscious, Duke forced himself on her and fled the scene before she regained consciousness.

The 59 year old, of Lockside in Tonbridge, was later arrested and subsequently charged with rape.

Sentenced

He pleaded not guilty to the offence but was convicted following a trial and sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday 25 July 2025.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Joanne Burt, said:

‘Duke carried out a pre-meditated assault on his victim, purchasing drugs and alcohol with the intention of disarming her and taking advantage of her for his own sexual gratification. ‘He showed no remorse throughout and denied his actions, forcing the victim to relive a traumatic incident in court proceedings. The offender even went so far as making fictitious claims that he had sex with his victim in his sleep and was unaware of his actions. ‘I am grateful to the victim for her support in securing a conviction and hope that the lengthy custodial sentence imposed brings her some comfort.’

Description

An offender who targeted a child whilst she was walking along a road in Medway has been jailed.

Abiola Adenmosun was driving through Rochester in 2012 and stopped his car alongside a girl he did not know. He befriended her and arranged to see her locally the next day.

The victim went to the meeting where Adenmosun gave her alcohol and a cigarette containing cannabis.

Sexually assaulted

The girl had not tried the drug before and became disorientated. He went on to sexually assault her in his car.

Over several months Adenmosun continued to meet the child and committed further sexual offences. During this period, he also damaged the victim’s phone and assaulted one of her relatives.

The victim tried to end any contact with Adenmosun, but he persisted to text and phone her. This led her to report his offending to the police in 2017.

Adenmosun, of King George Road, Chatham was interviewed and later charged with six counts of sexual activity with a child.

He pleaded not guilty at Maidstone Crown Court and was convicted of all the indictments on 28 February 2025.

Jailed

On Friday 18 July, the 35 year old was sentenced to four years and three months’ imprisonment.

He was given an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order and will be required to sign the Sex Offenders Register. He will also be subject to a restraining order for life.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Kayleigh Archer, said:

‘This man sought out a vulnerable girl who was walking by herself, gained her trust and then went on to commit multiple sexual offences.

‘The victim had immense courage in initially reporting her ordeal. She then had the resilience to support our investigation over a long period of time and then give evidence at court. This has ensured this appalling man is now in prison and he cannot pose a risk to other young victims.’

Description

A child rape victim whose abuser has been jailed for three-and-a-half years told a court that after decades of feeling shame and guilt, she was able to "find my voice and fight for the truth".

In a moving statement read at the sentencing hearing of paedophile Gary Pallin, the woman described how his deviant conduct had not only robbed her of her innocence and dignity but also her life.

She said the effect of the sexual abuse she suffered was "so overwhelming" that it impacted her education, relationships and health, both physically and mentally.

But having given evidence at Pallin's trial at Maidstone Crown Court earlier this year, the woman said she felt pride at finally speaking out and achieving justice.

Pallin, of Caesar Avenue, Kingsnorth in Ashford, had denied a number of sexual offence charges – including rape – but was found guilty by a jury of them all.

Prosecutor Amy Nicholson detailed how the defendant was a teenager at the time he committed the crimes.

Although the victim confided in several people over the years, it was not until 2021 that police became involved and Pallin was arrested.

As well as giving a 'no comment' interview and denying the offences once charged, he also accused the victim through his legal team at trial of making up the allegations.

Furthermore, the packed courtroom at his sentencing hearing was told that he has continued to "vehemently" maintain his innocence since his conviction in May.

But on jailing the now 58-year-old, Judge Gareth Branston said that despite his age at the time, Pallin must have realised he was causing harm and yet "carried on regardless" for his own sexual gratification.

Referring to the assertion that the victim had lied about the abuse, the judge told an impassive Pallin: "During the trial, (the victim) was appalled by the suggestion made by your defence that this was a fiction.

"She said 'Why would I make it up?' and, of course, she didn't make it up. She buried it for many years, and counselling made her realise she didn't have to bury it any longer.

"I have read and listened to her victim impact statement. She felt the worst thing that could happen was people finding out.

"She spent years pretending nothing happened and squashed her feelings.”

Highlighting the psychological consequences of the abuse, the judge continued: "She simply wants you to be accountable for your actions so you can feel the guilt and shame.

"She notes you show no genuine remorse, and she has had to go through the ordeal of a trial.

But she is rightly proud now that she has found her voice and fought for the truth."

In her impact statement, the victim, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, described how she was "exploited and traumatised" by her abuser, and to this day continues "to grieve for the life I lost and the life I should have had".

I would feel shame, guilt and fear that didn't belong to me – now I feel pride that I found my voice and fought for the truth...
"I would feel shame, guilt and fear that didn't belong to me", she wrote. "Now I feel pride that I found my voice and fought for the truth."

In deciding the appropriate punishment, Judge Branston explained that he had to sentence Pallin according to his age at the time.

He also accepted that he may not have "fully appreciated" the effect of his behaviour or been "fully capable" of understanding the stress and pain caused.

The court heard that Pallin had lived a law-abiding life otherwise, and provided significant care for his mother who, along with his wife and many others, had written 15 references describing him as a "decent, honest, trustworthy, kind and considerate" man.

This prompted Judge Branston to comment that there were "many positive attributes" to his character and that he had lived an "exemplary life" in adulthood.

But referring to a pre-sentence report prepared by probation, he added: "It is disappointing, to say the least, that you continue to vehemently deny the offences.

"You have demonstrated no acceptance of responsibility, no empathy for your victim and no insight into the impact of your offending."

Pallin, who mouthed "I love you" to those sitting in the public gallery in support, will be subject to indefinite sex offender notification requirements on his release.

Description

A child sex offender from Sittingbourne who abused his young victim on multiple occasions has been jailed for 13 years.

Aaron Stevens, formerly of Newbridge Avenue, was convicted of 15 offences following a trial at Maidstone Crown Court.

Investigation

Investigators became aware of Stevens’ crimes in May 2018 after it was reported to police that he had boasted of them online.

Stevens was arrested at his home address on 27 May 2018 and, following a complex investigation by specialist detectives from Kent Police, was later charged.

Jailed

He denied all charges against him but, following a unanimous jury verdict, was found guilty of sexual assault of a child; causing a child to engage in sexual activity; attempting to communicate sexually with a child; possession and distribution of indecent images of a child and indecent exposure.

Stevens, 27, was sentenced on Tuesday 8 July 2025 and will spend an additional four years on licence.

He will be subject to notification requirements for the sex offender register for life and was also ordered to comply with a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

Detective Sergeant Fleur Hardie said:

‘The depravity of Stevens’ actions is appalling and it is right that this manipulative sexual predator is now behind bars. I am also pleased that the SHPO he has been issued will protect against future crimes being committed, restricting the offender’s behaviour to prevent vulnerable people from becoming victims.‘I would like to praise the courage of the young victim in this case and the witnesses whose evidence helped secure Stevens’ conviction and lengthy sentence. We will always strive to bring dangerous sexual offenders before the courts to face justice.’

Description

Illegal child images were found on the phone of a registered sex offender when police made a surprise visit to his Edenbridge home.

David Johnson was arrested after officers were alerted by monitoring software which had been installed on his phone.

Johnson had been the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), following previous convictions in 2021 relating to the access of indecent images.

The SHPO contained a raft of measures to deter him from reoffending.

These included Johnson being prohibited from using any device capable of accessing the internet unless it had been installed with a web monitoring program.

He also had to inform police of any devices he possessed and allow these to be inspected.

Software alert

On 9 January 2025, officers received an alert linked to suspicious activity on one of his phones.

Days later they made an unannounced visit to Johnsons home near Main Road, Edenbridge.

A review of the camera roll on a phone led to the recovery of several images showing a very young child who was naked.

Johnson was arrested and searches of the property led to the discovery of internet enabled devices which he hadnt told police about, including a tablet and a television.

The investigation led to evidence of further SHPO breaches, after alias names he used for websites were identified, including ford19656 and slimguy1965.

He was charged with making indecent images of children, two counts of breaching a SHPO and a further four counts of failing to comply with sex offender notification requirements.

Guilty

Johnson, 60, pleaded guilty and on Monday 2 July was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court to four years imprisonment.

Detective Constable Steph Kirkin said:

Sexual Harm Prevention Orders are just one of several tools which help us protect children and other vulnerable people, and which allow us to closely monitor convicted offenders.

'Having been released from prison, David Johnson has demonstrated contempt for the sanctions imposed by the court designed to prevent him from reoffending. He even deleted monitoring software installed on another one of his phones.

Johnson is now facing the consequences of his actions and I hope this case demonstrates just how strictly we manage registered sex offenders. Where we see flagrant breaches and fresh offences committed, we will take robust action.

Description

A convicted sex offender from Chatham who breached a court order and failed to comply with sex offender notification requirements has been promptly jailed.

Denis Swift became the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) after being convicted in 2012 of child sex offences.

The conditions included a requirement he should not be in possession of an internet-enabled device without written approval from police.

Investigation

On Tuesday 24 June 2025, officers attended Swift’s home address to check he was complying with the restrictions. It was found that the offender had bought a mobile phone and he was arrested.

Swift, formerly of Seymour Road, was charged later that day with breach of a SHPO and failing to comply with sex offender notification requirements.

Jailed

The 71 year old pleaded guilty and, on Wednesday 25 June at Medway Magistrates’ Court, was sentenced to 12 months in prison.

PC Areolito Gashi said:

‘Court orders for convicted sex offenders such as Swift are put in place to safeguard against future crimes being committed - protecting vulnerable people and preventing them from becoming victims. Swift was clearly in breach of his court order and it’s right that he’s back behind bars.‘We carry out regular checks on offenders to ensure that they are complying with the conditions on which they have been released from prison. Those who fail to adhere to them can expect to face the consequences of their actions.’

Description

A pervert must now sign on the sex offenders register after he messaged “two girls” on Snapchat with pictures of his genitals.

Michael Wells, from Gillingham, thought he was chatting to two schoolgirls, aged 13 and 14, when he sent the sexual messages on the social communication app.

The 35-year-old, not only sent them both images of his erect penis, he also sent one of them a video of himself masturbating after he started talking to what he thought was 14-year-old girl called Molly and a 13-year-old called Maisie.

However, what the pervert didn’t know was that he was messaging two decoys who were, in fact, undercover police officers.

Wells, of Littlebourne Avenue, Gillingham, was arrested and later charged with four offences.

These were two counts attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and two counts of attempting to cause a child to watch or look at an image of sexual activity.

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He admitted all the offences when he appeared in the dock at Medway Magistrates’ Court on June 6.

Victoria Aked, prosecuting, said: “They were decoy officers and he sent images them of his penis to both girls.

“He was masturbating in one video he sent, but he’s of previous good character.”

Magistrates decided a pre-sentencing report was needed to be completed on Wells before he was sentenced, but told him now that he’d admitted the offences, he was convicted of them.

As a result, he would need to sign on at Medway Police Station within three days as part of the notification requirements of sex offenders.

Such offenders are required to register with the police and provide them with certain personal details, including name, address, date of birth, and passport details, so they can be managed in the community.

They must also notify the police of any changes to this information, and for some offences, they are required to notify the police of any travel plans.

Wells was granted bail until he is sentenced, which will be at the same court on August 4.

Description

A Maidstone sex offender who slammed a teenager’s head against a parked van and sexually assaulted her has been jailed.

Ryan Perrins was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment after he supplied a vulnerable girl with cannabis and sexually abused her for ‘payment’.

He will be subject to a restraining order for 10 years following his release.

For around seven months, up until October 2023, Perrins carried out a sustained campaign of abuse against his victim.

The young girl made attempts to break contact with him on numerous occasions. This resulted in the offender violently assaulting her – including one occasion when he forced her head into the side of a van – and bombarding her with 59 calls in just 12 hours.

Perrins was arrested on 31 January 2024 and later charged with possession of cannabis, assault, and sex offences.

He pleaded guilty to the drugs offence and assault when he appeared before Maidstone Crown Court on 16 December 2024 but denied four counts of sexual activity with a child.

Following a trial, Perrins, 35, of Heathorn Street, was found guilty of all charges and was sentenced at the same court on 6 June 2025.

Description

A registered sex offender from the Isle of Sheppey has been jailed for targeting young girls and multiple breaches of a court order.

In 2021, Paul Knight pleaded guilty to sexual offences involving children and became subject to strict conditions on his conduct.

A 10-year sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) along with sex offender notification requirements (SONR) included restrictions around his interaction with young people, use of the internet and phones, and possession of bank cards.

Knight was also required to install monitoring software on his internet-enabled devices.

Unannounced inspection

On 10 November 2023, investigators made an unannounced visit to Knight’s home address and there was a delay before he answered his door. He then handed over his mobile phone for inspection, stating it was his only device.

Suspecting Knight had bypassed the monitoring software on this phone, he was arrested.

The officers then searched his property and recovered an iPhone hidden inside a wardrobe. It was locked and Knight said it did not belong to him. They also found he had bank cards he had not declared to the police.

On the following day, Knight, of Queenborough Road, Minster-on-Sea, was charged with five breaches of his SHPO, three breaches of his SONR, and possessing indecent images of a child.

He was remanded in custody and his two phones were then sent for further digital forensic examination.

Targeting children

When investigators gained access to his iPhone, they found Knight had been communicating with multiple young girls online for several months. He had been engaging in sexually explicit conversations and had sent indecent photos of himself whilst asking for illegal ones in return.

His phones also contained a total of 129 indecent images of children including one of the most serious category.

Knight was further charged with 13 counts of causing and attempting to cause a child to engage in sexual activity, and three counts of making indecent images of children.

Guilty

He pleaded guilty to all the indictments at Maidstone Crown Court. On Monday 9 June 2025, the 61-year-old received an extended sentence with a total of eight years and three months' imprisonment.

On his release he will be required to complete an additional four years on licence. Knight will also be subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order.

Description

A sex offender from Sittingbourne who raped his victim in a hotel room after a night out has been jailed.

Daniel Holdaway was found guilty following a trial at Maidstone Crown Court.

Investigation

Kent Police launched an investigation after a woman was assaulted in the Gravesend area on 29 August 2021. Holdaway, 24, spent time with his victim during the evening before taking her to pre-booked accommodation.

The two entered a hotel room together. Despite the woman repeatedly stating her wishes to Holdaway, he ignored them and raped her.

While the offender slept, the victim was able to leave the premises and reported what happened soon afterwards.

Officers attended and initial enquiries were completed. Holdaway was arrested on 31 August 2021 and was later charged with rape.

Jailed

Holdaway, from Burnham Close, Milton Regis, pleaded not guilty. On Friday 30 May 2025, after being convicted by jury, Holdaway was sentenced to five years in prison. He will have to comply with strict sex offender notification requirements indefinitely.

Description

A Maidstone sex offender has been jailed after a police dog detected ‘invisible’ DNA at the crime scene.

Lloyd Cundall groomed his victim using social media platforms and convinced her to meet up in secluded areas in and around Quarry Road, including woods and alleyways.

Once out of public view, Cundall repeatedly offered the teenager cocaine, cannabis, nitrous oxide (laughing gas) balloons, and alcohol before pressurising her to perform sexual acts.

He was later arrested on 24 September 2024. An initial investigation saw detectives retrieve DNA evidence – which was invisible to the naked eye – from one of the scenes with the support of Police Dog Belle.

Cundall was subsequently charged with eight counts of sexual activity with a child.

He later pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court and, on 21 May 2025, Cundall, 27, of Brenchley Road, was sentenced to seven years and six months’ imprisonment.

On release, he will serve an extended licence period of four years and be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) for 15 years.

Description

A burglar who raped an elderly and disabled woman in her own home has been sentenced to life imprisonment.

Michael Hanmore, 46, attacked his victim at an address on the Isle of Sheppey in the early hours of Saturday 7 May 2022 before stealing her car from outside. He was arrested by Kent Police officers in London the following day and later admitted being responsible for the offences.

The resident of Queenborough Road, Sheerness was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on Tuesday 20 May 2025 and must serve at least 12 years in prison before being eligible for release on parole, minus the time he has already spent remanded in custody. He will also be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for the rest of his life.

Prolonged attack

Hanmores victim was woken at around 2am by the sound of someone moving in her kitchen. A short time later Hanmore burst into her bedroom and carried out a prolonged attack, which including him raping her before stamping on her arms and body whilst demanding money.

The woman then witnessed him stealing cash from within her room before he finally left the property after more than an hour inside. She later realised her mobile phone and tablet were also missing, leaving her unable to call for help until just after 9am when a visitor she was expecting arrived and was told what happened.

An investigation was carried out by Kent Police detectives who were able to use ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) technology to trace the route taken by the victims car after it was driven away from her property.

They also quickly identified Hanmore as a suspect and arrested him in Hackney, east London, on the evening of Sunday 8 May.

Analysis of his mobile phone showed it had been in the same locations as the victims car, and forensic evidence captured at the scene was also linked to him.

Hanmore pleaded guilty to charges of rape, burglary and theft of a motor vehicle prior to sentencing.

Description

An online child groomer who persuaded multiple young girls to send him indecent images and videos has been jailed.

Jack Davey, 21, from Meopham, lied about his age and met victims in order to sexually abuse them. He also convinced the girls to perform sexual acts during video calls that he recorded without their knowledge.

Davey was sentenced to three years and four months’ imprisonment when he appeared at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday 9 May 2025 having pleaded guilty to more than 30 separate offences. These included inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, meeting a child following sexual grooming, possessing indecent images of children and making threats to disclose private sexual images with intent to cause distress.

He must serve at least two thirds of his sentence before being eligible for parole and will spend an additional two years on licence under the terms of an extended sentence. Davey was also made subject to a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and will be on the sex offender register for life.

Arrested

Kent Police officers arrested Davey at his home in Harvel Road in May 2022 after being informed he had groomed a 13-year-old girl he had met online. Davey was 17 at the time but pretended he was younger in order to exchange sexual communications with the girl and to arrange to meet with her.

Following his arrest, by which point he had turned 18, the force was made aware of similar indecent contact between Davey and two other girls from other parts of Kent.

A review of the offender’s internet devices revealed that he had been messaging a large number of girls across various platforms in Kent and elsewhere in the country, and saving images and videos of them that were of a sexual nature.

Davey’s sentencing also includes further crimes committed between November 2023 and January 2024 of grooming a 14-year-old girl and multiple breaches of a previous SHPO.

Description

A registered sex offender subject to strict measures around his access of the internet was caught using a laptop to download illegal images of children.

Explicit material including the sexual abuse of children was recovered after police made an unannounced visit in Snodland to the home of Roger Crabtree.

Officers attended the Rectory Close property on 2 November 2023. 

Crabtree had been subject to an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) - following previous convictions for making and possessing indecent images.

The SHPO meant Crabtree had to make any internet enabled devices immediately available for inspection.

Child victims abused

The inspection revealed concerning search terms linked to his web history, and this led to the seizure of a laptop and hard drives.

These were later forensically examined and found to contain 33 illegal images and videos of children, including several in the highest category showing unknown victims being subjected to abuse.

After the evidence was recovered, Crabtree was later arrested and charged with three counts of making indecent images of children.

He pleaded guilty and admitted a further charge of breaching his SHPO. This related to an incident in January 2024 when he was found to have unlawfully deleted the internet history of a Kindle device.

High risk

On 2 May 2025, Crabtree, 59, was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court. Recorder David Wood described him as being of high risk to children, adding the material he had accessed showed ‘real victims having terrible things done to them’.

Crabtree was jailed for two years and six months. The sentence included a penalty for breaching a previous suspended sentence.

Description

A man who tried to meet a 13-year-old girl at Bexleyheath Station is back behind bars after police discovered he had stayed in a home where a minor resides. 

Thomas Smith, 29, of Oakhurst Avenue in Bexleyheath, was sentenced to two years in prison last March. 

He has since been released but on Thursday, May 1, he was sent back to prison for five weeks for failing to comply with sex offenders register notification requirements. 

Smith admitted having resided or stayed for at least 12 hours in a household where an under 19 resides and he failed to notify police. 

Last year Woolwich Crown Court heard how Smith had sent sexual messages and a photo of his penis to what he thought was a young girl over the court of a month. 

But when he turned up at the station to meet her he was greeted by a team of paedophile hunters who detained him and live streamed his arrest on Facebook.