Michael Link was sentenced to life imprisonment at Maidstone Crown Court after a jury found him guilty of 19 offences including multiple rapes of children.
A Sentence That May Never End
Michael Link, 72, of Tonbridge has been given a life sentence after being convicted of 19 child sexual offences — rape on multiple counts, indecent assault, voyeurism, and sexual activity with a child. The sentence was handed down at Maidstone Crown Court following a trial in which Link denied every allegation. Three child victims gave evidence during the proceedings. The jury found him guilty on all counts.
He must serve a minimum of 15 years before parole can even be considered. The court’s imposition of a life sentence reflects its assessment that Link poses an ongoing risk — a life sentence means he could die in prison.
How the Investigation Unfolded
Kent Police opened their investigation after a report was received in 2019. Officers from the force’s specialist child protection and paedophile investigation team gathered evidence, interviewed victims and witnesses, and worked through digital material. The Crown Prosecution Service brought 19 separate charges — reflecting, in their words, the seriousness, frequency and variety of the abuse. Prosecutors put it to the jury as a sustained pattern of grooming, control and sexual exploitation, and the jury agreed.
A specialist detective from Kent Police described Link as “predatory and dangerous”, and said his behaviour had caused devastating, lifelong harm to his victims.
Three Children Behind the Charges
Three child victims. Nineteen convictions. The offences ranged across rape, indecent assault, voyeurism, and engaging in sexual activity with a child.
The courage required to come forward in cases like this is genuinely difficult to overstate. These victims gave statements and, where required, gave evidence through the full ordeal of a trial. Link denied every charge and was found guilty on all counts by the jury.
What Happens to Link Now
Beyond the prison term, Link faces indefinite notification requirements on the sex offenders’ register. If he is ever released — and that is far from guaranteed — he will face indefinite supervision in the community, with multi-agency monitoring from Kent Police, probation services, and local safeguarding partners.
The sentencing judge’s choice of a life term rather than a long fixed sentence reflects the court’s finding that Link represents an ongoing risk to children.
A Message to Other Survivors in Kent
Kent Police have been clear that non-recent abuse can still be investigated and prosecuted, even when years or decades have passed. For survivors in Tonbridge, Maidstone, or anywhere else across the county who have not yet come forward, that matters. The force has encouraged anyone with information about child sexual abuse — historic or current — to contact them directly.
—
Key Takeaways
- Michael Link, 72, of Tonbridge was convicted of 19 offences including multiple child rapes and sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum 15-year term at Maidstone Crown Court
- Three child victims gave evidence in the case; Link denied all charges and was found guilty on every count by the jury
- Link faces indefinite registration on the sex offenders’ register and indefinite supervision if ever released from prison
What This Means for Kent Residents
This conviction removes a high-risk offender from the Tonbridge community and demonstrates that Kent Police will pursue historic child sexual abuse cases regardless of when the offences occurred. Victims and families involved in cases of this severity often need long-term support. If you or someone you know has experienced child sexual abuse — recent or historic — you can contact Kent Police on 101, report online via the Kent Police website, or call the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000, which is free and available around the clock.