Latest Offenders Kent

Description

A child sex offender from Margate who abused multiple victims has been jailed for 28 years.

Duncan Bayles, formerly of Northdown Road, was sentenced in relation to crimes committed against five children that began in the 1980s.

Investigation

Kent Police launched a specialist investigation in June 2019 after a man came forward to report how Bayles had abused him on several occasions when he was a boy.

Extensive enquiries were completed and complex evidence was obtained. It was established that a further three men had also been preyed upon while they were children.

Multiple victims

The young victims were sexually assaulted, manipulated, bribed with gifts in return for carrying out sexual acts and groomed to believe that Bayles’ behaviour was normal.

Bayles, 65, was arrested on 18 August 2020 and was later charged with 19 offences in relation to the reports, including gross indecency, indecent assault and attempted rape.

Having denied the offences, Bayles was found guilty of all charges on 24 October 2024, following a trial at Canterbury Crown Court.

Further victim

The court case relating to the young male victims led to a woman approaching Kent Police to report that the offender had also abused her as a child.

He threatened to harm the girl’s pets if she told anyone about him and made her think that she would not be believed if she reported his depravity.

Additional charges

Detectives launched a separate investigation, which resulted in Bayles facing an additional 17 charges including four counts of child rape.

Bayles again pleaded not guilty. A further trial took place at Canterbury Crown Court, resulting in his conviction on all counts in a unanimous jury verdict on 15 January 2026.

Convicted and jailed

On 6 February 2026, at the same court, Bayles was sentenced to 28 years in prison. He will spend a further two years on licence at the end of the custodial period and will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for life.

Detective Constable Pete Edwards said:

'This was a complex case and all of Bayles’ victims should be praised for their courage in coming forward, and for remaining steadfast throughout the process of bringing this predatory offender to justice.

'It is never too late to report a crime and Kent Police remains committed to supporting survivors of abuse, listening to them and pursuing offenders no matter how much time has passed.

'We recognise the impact that these horrific crimes have had on Bayles’ victims, and hope they will find some closure, knowing that this dangerous criminal is now behind bars. The restrictions to which he must adhere at the end of his long custodial period, which will remain in place for the rest of his life, will further protect against him reoffending and safeguard future potential victims.'

2024-10-26

Former Margate bar boss and previous childrens home worker Duncan Bayles will be sentenced in January after being found guilty of sex offences against children.

Mr Bayles was found guilty of 12 indecent assault charges against children aged below 14 years; six indecency with a child charges and one charge of attempted rape following a two trial at Canterbury Crown Court which concluded last week.

The offences took place in the 1980s and 1990s against four boys, then aged under 13, at two childrens homes in Ramsgate and Deal.

Mr Bayles, aged 64, of Northdown Road, has been remanded in custody and will return to the court on January 24 for sentencing.

Description

A convicted sex offender from Chatham who failed to comply with notification requirements has been jailed.

Terence Standage, 67, was issued a Sexual Harm Prevention Order in 2021 after he was convicted of making indecent images of children and outraging public decency. He was jailed for 28 months.

After he was released and while on licence, the restrictions imposed on him stipulated that he should not use any device capable of storing digital images unless he notifies police and provides access.

Phone seized

On 2 February 2026 officers were alerted via monitoring software that he had created a social media account and his phone was seized. They also found Standage had disabled access to his photo gallery.

Standage, from Randall Road, Chatham was charged with breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and the next day was jailed for 12 months at Medway Magistrates’ Court.

Investigating officer, Police Constable Leona Valsler said:

‘Standage has a lengthy history of offending connected to both contact and non-contact offences against children.

‘Court orders such as these are there so convicted sex offenders can be closely monitored and help us safeguard potential future victims.

‘And as this case hopefully shows we will do everything within our powers to ensure offenders like him face the consequences.’

Description

A man from Faversham has been sentenced to six years and six months in prison following his conviction for rape and sexual assault offences.

David Jones, 26, of Feaver Drive, was found guilty of both offences following an eight day trial at Canterbury Crown Court.

Jones’s victim had disclosed to a family member that she had been raped at a property in Sittingbourne on 23 May 2022. She also detailed a further sexual assault which had taken place the following day.

Investigation launched

Kent Police launched an investigation after the woman reported the incidents on 5 June 2022.

David Jones was subsequently arrested on 9 June 2022 on suspicion of rape and assault of a female by penetration and was found guilty of both offences.

Jones was sentenced on 30 January 2026 and will also be subject to a restraining order and is required to sign on to the sex offender register for life.

Detective Constable Stephanie Wilson said:

‘Jones took advantage of his victim for his own sexual gratification and subjected her to a horrific sexual assault.

‘I am grateful to the victim for her support in securing a conviction and hope that the custodial sentence imposed brings her some closure.’

Description

A sex offender from Gillingham who coerced an underage girl into sending him indecent images has been jailed for five years.

Tobias Dadswell’s home in May Road was visited by officers on 16 June 2025 after he was suspected to have breached an existing Sexual Risk Order by having an internet-enabled phone.

The 21 year old directed officers to the device, with officers arresting him as a result.

Investigation

A review of the phone showed he had used online messaging platforms to contact users selling indecent images of children.

Profiles purporting to be teenage girls had also been contacted, with him requesting to meet up with them for money following sexual conversation.

A further search highlighted messages he had sent to a teenager unknown to him on a video-based social media platform.

He threatened to spread rumours online about them unless they sent him indecent material of themselves, which they complied with.

Dadswell was charged with nine offences the day after his arrest, with a further eight being added at a later date.

Court

Having been remanded in custody, Dadswell admitted to 11 of the counts including causing a child to engage in sexual activity, breaching his Sexual Risk Order and making indecent images of children. Another five counts will lie on file.

Being sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on Monday 19 January, he was jailed for five years and will be subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order upon his release.

Investigating officer PC Areolito Gashi said:

‘Dadswell’s offending in spite of his order shows him to be a persistent danger to children, and we are glad to see him receive a lengthy prison sentence.

‘His cruel actions have caused serious harm to a young person, and cases like this remind us of the importance of being alert and vigilant while online.’

Description

A Gillingham sex offender who raped a young child has been jailed for 13 years.

Andrew Clark was arrested on 18 June 2023 after his victim disclosed the abuse he had suffered to officers, and the 62 year old was later charged with six offences.

Court

Clark consistently denied his crimes, prompting a trial in November 2025 which resulted in the jury finding him guilty of rape, attempted rape, three counts of sexual assault and possession of indecent images.

In addition to his imprisonment, a Sexual Harm Prevention Order was also imposed during Clark’s sentencing at Maidstone Crown Court on Tuesday 3 February.

Investigating officer DC Jack Kennedy said:

‘Andrew Clark has caused serious harm to a young person and his sentence is justly deserved for his terrible crimes.‘He denied the offences, forcing his victim to go through a prolonged trial. I’d like to commend the victim for coming forward and I hope Clark’s imprisonment brings them a sense of closure.’

Description

A man caught by online paedophile hunters encouraging two "teenage" girls to engage in sexual acts has won his bid to keep unrestricted internet access.

Robbie Smith, 31, faced potential limits on his online activity under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) after his 2023 conviction.

But Folkestone Magistrates’ Court ruled such restrictions are not necessary or proportionate.

Smith was arrested in 2022 after evidence showed he encouraged two girls he believed were 13 to engage in sexual acts. The accounts were operated by adult decoys.

He initially denied the charges but later pleaded guilty to two counts of attempting to cause or incite a girl aged 13 to 15 to engage in sexual activity.

Smith received a nine-month suspended sentence, two years' supervision, and 10 years on the sex offenders’ register.

His legal team opposed the SHPO application by the Crown Prosecution Service and police. SHPOs are civil measures that can restrict internet use, contact with children, or device access to protect the public from sexual harm.

At the January 12 hearing, via video link from his Ashford home, prosecutor Terry Knox said Smith, then 28, believed the girls were 13: "He was 28 at the time. He thought the girls were 13, so it shows you the age difference."

Smith sent one "girl" a message admitting he could get in trouble, then blocked her. For the other, chats referenced school, but he called her "babe" and "gorgeous," discussed masturbation, and said it was natural for her to "play with her privates."

Mr. Knox added: "There are elements of a grooming nature, but then the paedo hunters come forward. The SHPO is needed to protect the public, or to protect children, or vulnerable adults."

Defender Nigel Riley argued an SHPO must be necessary and proportionate: "My client accepts these are serious matters, but an order of this nature being made, well, the court takes each case on its own facts. And on these particular facts, I will persuade you, it’s not necessary to make such an order. They are made in many cases, but not as a matter of routine."

He noted the offenses occurred nearly four years ago (February-April 2022), with no prior or subsequent sexual offenses, no breaches of notification requirements, and that an SHPO "should only be made at the end of a case, not some four years after the offence has been committed."

Mr. Riley said Smith had a psychiatric disorder, unstable personality, depressive disorder, and was socially isolated amid a health scare: "He was socially isolated and on his computer [a lot] and was particularly depressed."

He added: "There were no underage victims; the matter was reported to police by the paedophile hunters, the vigilante group, and there has been no further offending, and four years have gone by. Were he to reoffend, he would be prosecuted and could get custody. He accepted full responsibility and had genuine remorse and embarrassment; he doesn’t need a further order."

Bench chairman Ken Benn said: "We do not think a SHPO is proportionate to issue; the notification requirements are adequate."

He reminded Smith to comply with the register until its 10-year term ends.

Description

A Strood sex offender has been jailed after breaching a protective court order.

Kier Middleton-Seath was convicted in 2022 for possessing indecent images of children. His sentence placed him on the sex offenders register and required him to comply with the restrictions of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO). These included conditions around his use of internet enabled devices and access to children.

Investigation

In March 2025, detectives monitoring Middleton-Seath’s conduct identified he had committed multiple breaches of his court order. These included staying at a new address where a child was present, purchasing a phone without notifying the police and setting up a bank account without informing officers. He had also downloaded indecent images of children.

Arrest

Middleton-Seath was arrested whilst driving a vehicle in Anthonys Way, Strood, on 17 March. A search uncovered quantities of controlled drugs.

The 28-year-old was later charged with three counts of failing to comply with sex offender register notifications, three charges of breaching his SHPO, two counts of making indecent images of children and possession of cocaine and cannabis.

Middleton-Seath, of Cooling Road, Strood pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 28 months in prison on Tuesday 20 January 2026. His SHPO was also extended by 10 years.

‘Persistent danger’

Detective Sergeant Fleur Hardie said:

‘Some sex offenders when sentenced are given the opportunity to show they regret their previous behaviour and want to reform. They are then given strict conditions on their conduct which we regularly monitor.

‘Middleton-Seath has shown that he cannot be trusted to behave lawfully whilst residing in the community and this was swiftly identified by an officer checking his compliance. He will receive similar scrutiny when he is next released from prison.’

Description

A Sevenoaks resident who sexually abused a child has been jailed for five years.

Trevor Boakes targeted his young victim multiple times and in different locations in the 1990s.

He was arrested on 6 December 2022 after his offending had been reported to the police.

Boakes, of Woodside Road, Sundridge was charged with seven counts of indecent assault on a child, one count of attempted indecent assault and one of gross indecency with a child.

He pleaded not guilty at Southwark Crown Court and was convicted of all the offences following a five day trial.

On Friday 16 January 2026, the 65 year old was sentenced to five years' imprisonment.

Detective Constable Katy Saunders said:

‘Boakes took the opportunity to sexually abuse a vulnerable child several times thinking he could get away with his vile behaviour.

‘However, he has been made to answer for his crimes thanks to the courage of the victim who came forward to report their ordeal to the police. I hope the knowledge that Boakes has been sent to prison allows them to find some closure.

‘I would encourage anyone who suffered from sexual abuse in the past to contact us. Our specially trained officers will support you throughout and, with your assistance, seek to bring the person responsible to justice.’

Description

A rapist who told "outlandish" lies to discredit DNA evidence linking him to his crimes has been branded "a pathetic, dangerous man" upon being jailed.

Ricky Dighton, 39, denied abusing his victim, claiming "a number of sons in the world" he might have fathered could be responsible for the scientific evidence. He also accused involved parties of lying for money.

After pleading not guilty to multiple charges including rape and assault by penetration, he was convicted by a jury in August.

At his December 18 sentencing at Maidstone Crown Court, where he maintained innocence, Judge Gareth Branston deemed him a public danger, condemning his "appalling, selfish and wanton" behavior for sexual gratification.

The court heard devastating details of the "overwhelming" consequences. The prosecutor, visibly upset, read the victim's statement detailing severe psychological harm.

Other statements called Dighton's crimes "monstrous," condemned his lack of remorse, and described "the most horrific" acts of abuse, while praising the victim's "extraordinary bravery."

Defense counsel Beverley Cherrill admitted little could be said given his "vehement" denials, urging no extended sentence as risk could be managed via custody, sex offender notification, and a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO).

Judge Branston disagreed, imposing a 26-year extended sentence for significant risk: 22 years' imprisonment (serving at least two-thirds before parole consideration) plus four years' extended license.

He said the jury "saw through your lies" about "unidentifiable and mysterious" individuals, noting "immeasurable, everlasting and crushing" harm inflicted.

"These offences are some of the most serious and damaging. They involved targeting [the victim] and an ongoing denial in the face of overwhelming evidence," Judge Branston added. "There is a total lack of insight, a total lack of empathy. I am satisfied there will remain for the foreseeable future a significant risk to the public of serious harm by way of the commission of further offences."

Mitigation was limited to no relevant or recent convictions.

In conclusion: "Ricky Dighton, you are a pathetic man for not taking responsibility and a dangerous man."

Dighton must serve 14 years and eight months before parole eligibility, then face lifelong sex offender notification and an indefinite SHPO. His only reaction was a phone gesture to supporters as he left the dock.

Description

A prison sentence has been handed to a man who sexually assaulted a woman shortly after meeting her by chance in Margate.

Amer Mohammed carried out the attack in the early hours of Saturday 10 August 2024, on the Promenade along Margate Seafront.

Investigations by Kent Police found the 24 year old had approached the victim, who was walking alone, and invited her to a party. However, after walking a short distance together, he sexually assaulted her.

She managed to escape him and flagged down a passing vehicle, which was being driven by an off-duty Kent Police officer. She was immediately taken to Margate Police Station and formally reported the incident.

Through conducting a number of lines of enquiry, detectives were able to identify the suspect as Mohammed, and he was located and arrested.

The Eritrean national, of no fixed address, was subsequently charged and on Thursday 9 October 2025 a jury at Canterbury Crown Court found him guilty of sexual assault following a 10 day trial.

On Thursday 18 December 2025, he was sentenced to 9 years in prison at Canterbury Crown Court.

Detective Constable Chris Harvey, said:

‘This was a traumatic experience for the victim, and we commend the bravery she has shown throughout the trial. Thanks to her courage and the swift actions of our officers, we were able to secure a conviction and ensure justice was served for this violent, sexually motivated crime.

‘Tackling violence against women and girls is a key priority for Kent Police and we will use all of the powers available to us to prevent harm, support victims, and bring offenders like Amer to justice.’

Description

A 60-year-old sex offender from Gillingham has been jailed for eight years for grooming a child over several years.

Andrew Stevens, of near Barnsole Road, was convicted at the Central Criminal Court of four counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity between 2008 and 2012.

He was arrested on 1 June 2023 after the victim came forward, denied the charges, but was found guilty after a trial and sentenced on Monday, 8 December 2025.

Sergeant Murray Tester said:

“Stevens targeted a vulnerable child for his own sexual gratification and has now been made to answer for his appalling actions.

“I would like to commend the victim for their bravery in coming to us and disclosing their abuse. Their courageous actions should serve as a reminder to anyone who has suffered this type of crime that it is never too late to contact us. You will be supported and steps taken to bring the person responsible for your ordeal to justice.”

Description

A homeless man from Maidstone has been jailed after he was convicted of raping a woman in a communal area next to a block of flats.

Thomas Underdown assaulted the victim after they had agreed to meet at an outbuilding that he slept in, close to St Peter’s Street.

The ordeal started at around 12.20am on 5 January 2024, when after they kissed the victim made it clear she did not consent to any further intimacy.

In response, Underdown repeatedly prevented the victim from getting up from a mattress he used and went on to abuse her.

The offences were reported to Kent Police on 9 January and Underdown was arrested on the following day.

Unanimous verdict

He was charged with rape and after pleading not guilty a trial was held at Southwark Crown Court, which led to him being convicted by unanimous verdict.  

On 5 December 2025, Underdown, 33, was sentenced to nine years' imprisonment.

He will have to serve a minimum of two thirds of the sentence before he can apply for parole and was also made the subject of an indefinite restraining order.  

Detective Constable Stuart Cook said:

‘This was a deeply traumatic ordeal for the victim, who showed immense courage in coming forward and supporting our investigation. She made it clear to Underdown that she did not consent, and her wishes were ignored in the most appalling way. Consent is never negotiable — no means no.

‘I hope this conviction brings the victim some sense of justice and reassurance that her voice has been heard. We have dedicated teams committed to supporting victims and ensuring those who do commit such appalling offences are held fully accountable.’

Description

A rapist from Folkestone who repeatedly targeted his victim has been jailed.

Lloyd Thomas, 58, was found guilty of five sexual offences following a trial at Canterbury Crown Court.

Thomas committed the offences, including rape, over a three month period.

Investigation

The victim came forward and spoke to Kent Police in November 2024. Specialist detectives from the force launched an investigation and Thomas was arrested three days later. He was later charged.

Thomas, of Risborough Lane, Folkestone, pleaded not guilty to all charges against him. He was convicted by jury of two counts of rape and three sexual assaults, as well as a harassment offence.

Sentenced

The offender was sentenced on Thursday 20 November 2025 to 10 years’ imprisonment and will spend a further four years on licence.

Detective Constable Gemma Chadwick said:

'Thomas is a dangerous sexual predator who subjected his victim to a campaign of dreadful abuse. I am pleased that the victim found the courage to come forward, so that we could investigate Thomas’ crimes and ensure that he was made to face the consequences of his actions. I hope the sentence that has been imposed will help to bring her a sense of closure.'

Description

A man has been sentenced to 24 years imprisonment for multiple counts of rape and administering a drug with intent.

Lee Hampton, 50, of Hollingbourne, Kent, was sentenced at Swindon Crown Court on November 13, after being found guilty by trial of seven counts of rape, four counts of assault by penetration and two counts of administering a drug with intent.

He must also serve a further six years on licence. 

The offences took place between January 2017 and October 2020 in Swindon and involved one victim, a woman in her 30s.

Across the four years, Hampton drugged the victim against her will on multiple occasions, crushing sleeping tablets up and putting them inside cold and flu tablets which she consumed, before raping her while she was asleep. He also attempted to spike her food with sleeping pills to facilitate his offending.

Hampton then shared videos and images of his offending with third parties.

In a moving Victim Personal Statement, she said: “The psychological damage cannot begin to be put into words, and I don’t know how to try and express the impact this has had on me.

“I worry for my future, that I will never be able to trust anyone again, that I will never enjoy a healthy relationship again, that I will never be me. 

“I still have daily flashbacks and nightmares, both of what happened and the unknowns."

After discovering Hampton’s actions, the victim bravely reported him to the police. He was investigated and subsequently charged and convicted.

Investigating officer DC Kolasinski said:

“There is no place in society for the horrific criminality that has taken place here. It represents some of the worst behaviour imaginable in humanity and has no place in this day and age.

“I would like to thank the victim for her unwavering bravery during this investigation and subsequent trial. Without this support, justice may not have been brought to the offender. The courage that she has demonstrated should be admired and inspire others to come forward should they fall victim in such an egregious circumstance. 

"Whilst this sentence cannot undo the horrific abuse that has taken place, I hope that this can in someway assist the victim gaining some form of closure.

“I would also like to highlight the diligent, determined, and relentless investigation that has been completed by Complex Crime Investigator Gemma Sole. Whilst she has since left the Force, she supported the victim throughout this investigation and ensured that justice was provided to the victim.” 

Description

Andrew Cullis, of Lynden Way in Swanley, was found to be in possession of a USB containing explicit images of children during a routine sex offender management check in February 2025.

The 43 year old was sentenced to two years and four months’ imprisonment at Maidstone Crown Court on 17 October.