Gravesend man jailed for more than 17 years for child rape and sexual offences

A man from Gravesend — named in court as Wayne Hodges — has been sentenced to more than 17 years in prison after admitting to raping a child and committing several other sexual offences, and has been placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.

Kent Police announced the sentence on their official social media channels. The force did not name the offender in the post, and no further details about the specific charges, the court in which the case was heard, or the dates of the offences were provided.

Under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, individuals convicted of serious sexual offences and sentenced to 30 months or more in custody are required to notify police for life, unless a review is successfully sought after a specified minimum period, according to Home Office guidance. Sentencing Council guidelines for rape of a child under 13 provide for custodial terms ranging from 13 years to life imprisonment in the most serious cases, depending on harm, culpability and aggravating factors.

Key information

Victims or witnesses of sexual offences in Kent can contact Kent Police on 999 in an emergency or 101 for non-emergency reports.
The NSPCC helpline can be reached on 0808 800 5000 for anyone with concerns about a child.
Survivors of sexual abuse can contact the national Rape Crisis helpline on 0808 500 2222, available around the clock.

Source: @kent_police

Published: 16 September 2026