Search results for Kent

Description

A sex offender who persisted in making contact with potential victims to indulge his “vile behaviour” has been jailed.

Brandon Coleman, of Burma Way in Chatham, spent unsupervised time with children and used electronic devices to access the internet despite having a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

The 22-year-old had been given the order after being convicted of making indecent images of children in October 2021.

The strict conditions of the court order meant he should not have any contact with juveniles unless certain restrictions were in place.

It further banned him from using any devices capable of accessing the internet or storing digital images without informing the authorities and any that he did possess should be available for inspection by the police when asked.

The SHPO also ordered Coleman not to use any form of software capable of deleting internet history or making messages disappear.

Despite this, concerns were raised he was not complying with the order and an investigation found him to be in breach of it. He was arrested on October 16, 2024.

An examination of his mobile phone uncovered that he had downloaded Snapchat and was using several different online aliases.

He was charged and pleaded guilty to making an indecent image, failing to comply with notification requirements for the sex offender register and multiple breaches of a SHPO.

At Maidstone Crown Court on April 8, Coleman was sentenced to two and half years in prison.

Description

A registered sex offender from Maidstone has been jailed for six years after he used the internet to send explicit images and messages to a user he believed to be a young child. 

On 17 July 2024, a Kent Police offender management team was alerted to suspicious activity linked to Terry Coleman’s use of social media.

Coleman, 60, had been subject to the terms of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) following previous convictions for illegal child images, and began interacting with a Snapchat user purporting to be a teenage girl.

For the two weeks that followed, Coleman bombarded the account with sexualised messages and explicit photos and videos of himself.

He encouraged her to engage in inappropriate conversation, and requested she engage in sexual activity and share intimate photos.

On 1 August, officers attended Coleman’s home address in McKenzie Close, Aylesford and arrested him.

A search led to the seizure of a smart TV, capable of accessing the internet, which Coleman had not registered with Kent Police as required by the SHPO.

Guilty pleas

Coleman was charged the same day with attempting to engage in sexual communications with a child, causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and causing a child to look at a sexual image.

He also admitted breaches of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order, failing to comply with notification requirements, and possession of cannabis.

He pleaded guilty and was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on 2 April 2025 to six years' imprisonment. 

Description

A convicted Medway sex offender who breached the terms of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) has been jailed.

Ian Collard, formerly of Station Road, Gillingham, downloaded banned apps and set up online dating profiles despite being forbidden to do so.

Court order

Collard, 34, became the subject of a SHPO after pleading guilty to attempting to cause a girl to engage in sexual activity in 2018. The court order included conditions that he must not access the internet without informing the authorities and must make any devices available for inspection by officers when asked.

The SHPO also stipulated that the offender must not use any form of social media, dating apps or dating websites; install any app capable of automatically deleting messages or making messages disappear, or contact any person without their expressed consent.

Order breached

Following a routine visit by Kent Police officers, Collard was found to be in breach of the court order. An examination of his mobile phone uncovered prohibited activity, including that he had downloaded Snapchat and was using several different aliases for various dating app profiles.

Collard was arrested on 17 May 2024 and charged the same day with seven breaches of the SHPO and three breaches of the Sex Offenders’ Notification Requirements.

Jailed

He pleaded guilty and on Friday 14 March 2025 at Maidstone Crown Court, was sentenced to three years in prison.

Description

A prison sentence has been imposed on a man who downloaded thousands of indecent images of children.

Paul Redford, 64, from Melbourne Avenue, Ramsgate, joined a social media application in 2022 where he used the platform to download and share the images with other users.

On 1 March 2024, officers from Kent Police’s Paedophile Online Investigation Team attended Redford’s home address following information received that indecent images of children were being accessed from the property.

Upon arrival and when officers told him why they were there, he admitted he was responsible.

After his phone was downloaded, officers found 730 of the most serious category A images and videos, 642 category B and 944 category C. They also found he had distributed 40 images and videos through the social media application.

Charged

Redford was later charged with making and distributing indecent images of children and possessing extreme pornography and prohibited items. He pleaded guilty to the offences and at Canterbury Crown Court on Thursday 6 March 2025 he was jailed for two years and four months.

He was also given a 10 year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and is subject to strict sex offender notification requirements for 10 years.

Description

A sex offender from Snodland looking for a ‘secret boyfriend’ has been jailed after officers recognised the bedroom wallpaper in images he sent to his victim.

On 20 November 2023, Jack Hickey, 28, of Woodlands Avenue, created a profile for Chat Avenue, an online chatroom service, before proactively targeting a user he believed to be a teenage boy.

After convincing his victim to communicate via Snapchat, a messaging platform used for privacy features such as disappearing messages, Hickey began sending them pictures and sexually explicit messages, including an indecent image of himself.

Arrested

An investigation by digital forensic analysts identified Hickey as the offender and attended his address on 30 November, where they were able to match the wallpaper and missing coving in one of the images to that in his bedroom.

Hickey was arrested at the scene and subsequently made subject to sex offenders notification requirements while he awaited sentencing.

Between 15 and 19 November 2024, he created and used another Snapchat account to communicate with what he believed to be another teenage boy, in a breach of his conditions.

Once more Hickey bombarded his target with lewd messages, repeatedly asking them to take part in video calls and take explicit photographs while wearing a school uniform. Hickey eventually arranged to meet his victim in Canterbury after dark.

When Hickey arrived at the agreed meeting point, officers were waiting to arrest him and remand him to custody.

Sentenced

Hickey was sentenced to four years and 10 months’ imprisonment at Maidstone Crown Court on Wednesday 19 February 2025, after pleading guilty to:

• Attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child;
• Causing a child to look at an image of a person engaging in sexual activity;
• Making indecent photographs;
• Arranging a child sex offence;
• Attempting to meet a child;
• Breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Steph Kirkin, said:

‘Hickey is a predator who targeted victims he believed to be young and vulnerable. He repeatedly sent his victims a barrage of lewd messages in a bid to coerce them into sharing content for his own gratification. ‘Despite being captured and registered as a sex offender, Hickey shamelessly continued his abhorrent behaviour, resulting in a swift remand and custodial sentence.’

Description

A sex offender who was found by officers in a child’s bed after gaining the trust of the victim’s family has been jailed.

Jake Booth of Pembury Grove in Tonbridge was already banned from communicating with children when he met the teenage girl online and started living in her home.

The 22-year-old created an internet chat group for motorbike enthusiasts and used the forum to contact the child.

From there, their conversations moved to Snapchat and Booth made arrangements to meet the girl and her parents.

After gaining the confidence of the family, he convinced them they were simply close friends so he was allowed to stay in their home.

But, unbeknown to the family, Booth was the subject of a sexual harm prevention order following previous convictions for making indecent images of children in 2022.

This 10-year order included strict measures to protect children and meant he was prohibited from having any unsupervised contact or communication with anyone under 16.

On April 11, 2024, Booth was arrested and found in the child’s bed by officers.

He was charged with 14 offences relating to breaches of a sexual harm prevention order and sex offender notification requirements.

Booth pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court and on January 31 and he was sentenced to three years in prison.

Description

A convicted Maidstone sex offender has been jailed for multiple breaches of an order designed to curb his behaviour.

Owen Payne had previously received a suspended prison sentence for attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity and was also made subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) that required him to notify police of any internet-enabled devices he had access to.

In September 2024 during a routine check of his home in Cornwallis Avenue, patrols seized three mobile phones, a tablet, a gaming device and a computer. None of the devices nor any of Payne’s 16 online aliases had been reported to police under the terms of his SHPO.

Further searches of the address led to the seizure of nine bladed weapons including knives and swords.

Payne, 24, was subsequently charged with breaching a SHPO, failing to comply with notification requirements and multiple counts of possessing an illegal weapon in a private place. He pleaded guilty to all offences and was sentenced to two years and eight months’ imprisonment at Maidstone Crown Court on Tuesday 4 February 2025.

Description

Software used by the police to monitor convicted sex offenders led to the discovery that a man living near Snodland was accessing thousands of illegal images of children.

Richard Faulkner was the subject of a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO), which prohibited him using any device capable of accessing the internet unless it had been installed with a web monitoring program.

The SHPO had been made by the courts in January 2024, following previous convictions related to Faulkner and the access of indecent images.

Several months later, on 26 August, an alert was raised in connection to a computer Faulkner had registered with Kent Police. This showed he had again been accessing illegal material.

He was arrested days later, and searches were carried out at his home near High Street, Wouldham.

The computer was seized, along with several other devices not previously made available to police for inspection and which was another SHPO requirement.

Lies exposed

During an initial police interview Faulkner denied any wrongdoing, claiming he no longer had any sexual interest in children. He insisted he had no knowledge of how illegal images would be on his computer.

His lies were exposed when the device was later forensically examined, along with another hard drive.

Hundreds of thousands of illegal images were detected. These included more than 160 photos and videos in the most serious category, showing children suffering appalling abuse. 

Faulkner, 70, pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court to multiple counts relating to making indecent images of children, and for breaching the SHPO.

He also admitted failing to comply with sex offender notification requirements, having not registered a number of bank and credit cards with police.

On Tuesday 4 February 2025, Faulkner was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment. This included the activation of a previous suspended sentence.

Manipulate

Sergeant Steph Kirkin said:

‘Faulkner had been the subject of strict measures designed to reduce the risk of him reoffending.'He attempted to manipulate the monitoring software placed on his computer, in attempts to disguise the fact he was frequently seeking access to disturbing and harmful images, many of which include the horrific abuse of children.‘Sexual harm prevention orders are passed by the courts to help protect children and as this case shows, we will do everything we can to ensure those who ignore them face the consequences of their actions.’

Description

A Sittingbourne man who sexually abused vulnerable children over several years has received 23 years' imprisonment.

Matthew Smith’s offending started in 2008 and he went on to target four victims over subsequent years.

In 2020, one of his victims disclosed their ordeal to a trusted third party and then contacted the police. Further victims were later identified as the investigation progressed.

Arrested

Smith, formerly of Sittingbourne, was arrested on 1 March 2020, and was later charged with multiple offences against children including rape and sexual touching.

He was also charged with sexual communication with a child after he contacted another victim online.

Smith pleaded not guilty at Maidstone Crown Court and was convicted of 32 indictments following a trial.

Sentenced

On Friday 24 January 2025, Smith, aged 39, was given an extended sentence of 31 years. This has a custodial period of 23 years of which he will have to serve two thirds before he is eligible for parole.

On his release, Smith, will have to serve a further eight years on licence. He will also be subject to a sexual harm prevention order and sex offender notification requirements indefinitely.

Description

A sex offender who hid storage devices from police officers, breaching a court order, has been jailed.

Bryan Gregory, from Minster on Sheppey, pleaded guilty at Canterbury Crown Court in 2014 to making and possessing indecent images of children.

As a result, he was given an indefinite Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO).

This placed strict conditions on his behaviour, including how he uses digital storage devices and mobile phones, as well as how he accesses the internet.

The 76-year-old was ordered to make devices available for inspection on request.

As part of the management of those on the sex offenders’ register, Gregory was subject to regular visits by police to ensure his compliance with the court order.

During a visit last January, officers became suspicious that he had used a mobile phone inappropriately and the phone was seized. Further enquiries led to Gregory being arrested.

Additional digital storage devices were recovered following a search of his address and on Saturday, September 14 he was charged.

Gregory pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children and breaching a SOPO.

He was sentenced on Tuesday (January 21) at Canterbury Crown Court to four years in prison and will spend a further four years on licence upon release.

Detective Sergeant Vicky Whitmill said: “Gregory’s disturbing behaviour – together with the complete contempt he demonstrated in breaching the terms of his court order, which was in place to protect vulnerable children – means it is right that he is behind bars.

“Proactive and regular checks are carried out on sex offenders to ensure they are complying with the requirements to which they are subject.

“Where breaches are found to have occurred, offenders will be arrested and brought before the court to take accountability for their actions.”

Description

A child rapist who subjected his victims to “depraved and sickening” abuse has been jailed.

Wayne Traill, of Stonebridge Road, Northfleet, was convicted of 21 separate offences after repeatedly abusing multiple victims for more than a decade.

The 52-year-old targeted one of his victims during the 1990s and went on to later exploit a further two children, warning them they would not be believed if they reported his crimes.

Police officers were told of the abuse in March 2022 and Traill was arrested.

He refused to comment during interviews and initially denied any wrongdoing at court.

However, he eventually pleaded guilty shortly before a trial at Woolwich Crown Court, admitting charges including rape, attempted rape, sexual assaults and gross indecency.

On December 19, Traill was jailed for 21 years after the judge branded him “a dangerous sexual offender” who had “groomed and abused” his victims.

Upon his release from prison, Traill will be subject to an extended licence period of eight years and will be on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.

Detective Constable Daniel Grant, who led the investigation, said: “Traill repeatedly subjected his victims to depraved and sickening abuse, causing incalculable damage to their young lives.

“He is a predatory child sex offender who used fear and intimidation to obtain sexual gratification, and whose deplorable actions will sadly have a lasting and profound impact on those he targeted.

“The fact justice has finally been served is largely down to the incredible courage and bravery of his victims and I am grateful Traill is at least now behind bars where he can cause no further harm to other young children.”

Description

Kent Police has a team of officers dedicated to checking the conduct of registered sex offenders, to ensure they are complying with any conditions imposed by a court following a conviction.

Paul Webster was issued with a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) following his conviction on 1 September 2017 at Maidstone Crown Court, for making indecent images of children.

The SHPO had several prohibitions around his use of the internet, alongside a requirement to allow officers to inspect his computers and other devices.

Inspection 

On Wednesday 14 February 2024, two officers visited Webster’s home and asked him to present any phones or computers in his possession for inspection. He gave the constables a phone that was not enabled for the internet and claimed he had no other devices.

A search of the premises found two internet enabled phones, one under a pillow, 11 USB sticks and an SD card. One of the phones contained indecent images of children including some in the most serious category, and a browser that did not retain internet history.

Webster’s actions were evidence of multiple breaches of his SHPO. Officers also found he had acquired a bank card without notifying the police, in contravention of his sex offender notification requirements.

Investigators charged Webster, of Railway Street, Chatham, with making indecent images of a child, failing to comply with sex offender notification requirements and breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

Sentenced

Webster pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court and, on Friday 20 December 2024, the 56 year old was jailed for three years and nine months.

Description

A violent rapist who “poses a very real danger to women” has been jailed for almost 20 years.

Last year, police officers received a report from a victim that John Cooper, of Whitehill Lane, Gravesend, had raped, sexually assaulted and physically attacked her multiple times.

The 29-year-old was immediately arrested and taken into custody before being charged with rape, sexual assault, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and intentional strangulation.

He was remanded in custody and while detectives were completing their inquiries, they found a second woman who said the suspect had put her through a similar ordeal in 2018.

Cooper was produced from prison on May 23, interviewed, and received further charges of rape, sexual assault and assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

He pleaded not guilty, however, was convicted following two separate trials at Woolwich Crown Court.

The sex offender was jailed today (December 20) for 18 years, of which he will have to serve at least two thirds before applying for parole.

When he is released from prison, Cooper will have to serve an additional seven years on licence and will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order and have to sign the sex offenders register indefinitely.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Daniel Burnett said: “Cooper is a violent sexual offender who poses a very real danger to women.

“He brutally attacked two victims and subjected them both to an appalling ordeal for his own sexual gratification. He sought to deny he had committed these crimes but is now deservedly serving a very long prison sentence.

“I would like to commend the two victims who showed immense courage in reporting their attacker to the police. They have ensured other women are not in danger from this vile individual.”

Description

A former teacher who sexually abused a pupil during the 1980s has been jailed.

Simon Montgomery taught at Dulwich College Preparatory School, now Dulwich Cranbrook in Coursehorn, Cranbrook.

The former science teacher and boarding school housemaster exploited his position to repeatedly assault a young boy under his care.

The 70-year-old, of Littlefield Road, Rainham, began grooming his victim by instructing him to stay behind after lessons, before showing him explicit magazines.

This moved on to repeated instances of sexual abuse in both the classroom and at a nearby sports facility.

His sentence comes after the allegations were reported to the police in December 2022. Montgomery was arrested and later confessed to officers during interviews, confirming the victim’s name before being asked.

He was charged with two counts of indecent assault and gross indecency with a child and a further charge was added of making indecent images of a child in connection to material found on one of his digital devices.

Montgomery pleaded guilty and at Maidstone Crown Court today (December 19) was sentenced to three years and four months in prison and made subject to a sexual harm prevention order.

Passing sentence, Judge Oliver Saxby KC praised the bravery of the victim in coming forward to reveal to the police what he had endured.

"He summoned the courage to report what you’d done – with all this involves. The feeling of shame – misplaced but real. The feeling of disgust – brought into sharp focus by having to remember it all again.

"And the feeling of life being suspended whilst the case has made its slow way through the court system.

"He said this in his interview: ‘Whatever age you are, you should have to stand up and be counted’.

"The court echoes this sentiment."

During the sentencing hearing it was revealed that although Montgomery has no previous convictions, he was cautioned in 2006 for three offences of sexual activity with a child in respect of children he had taught.

Now a convicted sex offender, the disgraced former teacher will have to sign on the sex offender register for life and will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order for 15 years.

He will also be subject to regulations barring him from working with children.

Description

A 42-year sentence has been imposed on a man who raped and sexually assaulted a number of women and girls in the Dover and Canterbury areas.

Ian Hamilton was charged with numerous sexual offences after Kent Police's Cold Case Investigation Team reviewed a 1988 investigation into an attack on a girl in the village of Hersden.

That in turn linked him to a 1992 report concerning abuse he inflicted on a child in Dover in the mid-1980s.

Cold case investigation

Detectives began tracing and interviewing people who had come into contact with Hamilton around that time, leading to a number of women revealing they had also been the victims of violence and sexual abuse at his hands.

In total, officers identified a further nine women who had been victims of sexual offences between 1977 and 2000, and a man who had been seriously assaulted by him in 1991.

As a result, more than 50 previously unreported offences were investigated and Hamilton was arrested at his home in Snodland in March 2024.

Following his arrest, a computer in his possession was found to contain more than 1,500 indecent images.

The 63 year old stood trial at Inner London Crown Court and was convicted by a jury of all 59 charges including rape, indecent assault and causing grievous bodily harm, having admitted possession of indecent images at the start of the trial.

Jailed

On Friday 13 December 2024, he received a sentence of 42 years and one month. His Honour Judge Silas Reid described Hamilton as 'cunning and sadistic' and a 'monster of the night'.