Sex offender from near Maidstone jailed for online contact with underage girl

The offender’s history

The man was already on the sex offenders register when he committed the latest offence. That means he had previously been convicted or cautioned for a sexual offence serious enough to require ongoing police monitoring.

The law

Under the Sexual Offences Act 2003, it is a criminal offence for an adult to intentionally communicate with a child under 16 for sexual gratification. The offence covers contact through social media, messaging apps and dating sites. Previous sexual offending is treated as a serious aggravating factor, and using online platforms to contact children, particularly by someone already on the register, typically results in a prison sentence.

How Kent Police monitor offenders

Kent Police say specialist teams monitor registered sex offenders and investigate cases of online child sexual exploitation. The force works alongside Kent County Council children’s services and the Kent Safeguarding Children Multi-Agency Partnership.

Several hundred registered sex offenders in Kent are managed under Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements. They must comply with notification requirements and are subject to regular police visits.

The wider picture

Adults using websites and apps to target children is a national concern. The National Crime Agency and the NSPCC have repeatedly warned about online grooming, in which offenders use false identities or apparently innocent explanations to make initial contact.

The offence of sexual communication with a child was introduced in 2017. As of March 2023, about 67,000 people were on the Violent and Sex Offender Register in England and Wales. Those on the register must notify police of changes to their circumstances, such as a change of address, employment or telephone number.

Key Takeaways

• A registered sex offender from near Maidstone has been jailed for online contact with an underage girl
• The man claimed he had contacted the child only to have her account banned from a website; the court imposed a custodial sentence
• Kent Police continue to monitor registered sex offenders and investigate breaches of their obligations

What This Means for Kent Residents

Parents and carers across Kent are encouraged to stay aware of their children’s online activity, including on social media and gaming platforms with direct messaging. Suspicious contact can be reported to Kent Police on 999 in an emergency or 101 for non-urgent concerns. The Internet Watch Foundation and CEOP also provide specialist channels for reporting online child protection concerns.