Locations
Hilltop Gardens, Dartford, Kent, DA1
Description
A repeat sex offender from Dartford has been convicted of non-recent crimes involving a young person.
Paul Perry, of Hilltop Gardens, was found guilty of three counts of gross indecency with a child and one count of indecent assault that took place more than 35 years ago, following a trial at Canterbury Crown Court.
Investigation
Perry, 58, abused a young victim in the 1980s, including while he was himself a juvenile.
Specialist detectives from Kent Police launched an investigation after the offences were reported to them in 2019. Perry, the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order due to his previous convictions, was arrested in December that year and was later charged.
Jailed
He denied the offences but, after a jury found him guilty on all counts, Perry was jailed on Wednesday 16 July 2025.
In acknowledgement of Perry’s age when some of the offences were carried out, and the law at the time, he was given the maximum sentence of one year in prison and a year to be served on licence when he is released. He was also placed on the sex offender’s register for seven years.
Detective Sergeant Frank Bloomfield said:
‘No matter how long ago a crime took place, we will always listen to victims and strive to bring offenders before the courts to answer for their actions. It is never too late to report an offence and we have specially trained officers to deal with such cases.‘Perry’s crimes in this case may have been committed decades ago, but they had a significant impact on the victim, whose courage in coming forward should be commended. I hope it helps to bring some closure, knowing that Perry has been convicted for what he did.’