Latest Offenders Kent

Description

A former Tunbridge Wells resident who used social media apps in attempts to groom children for sexual abuse has been jailed for seven years.

Gareth Lucas repeatedly sent explicit images to the profiles of two children he believed were only 14 years old.

Operating under the alias of ‘Garfuncle Lucas’, between 2 August and 13 November 2019 he accessed Facebook and instant messaging apps to seek out and contact victims.

Despite receiving several replies, clearly stating they were 14 and were at school, Lucas bombarded two children with messages of an explicit nature, urging them to engage in sexual activity and to send him indecent images.

Lucas also made efforts to meet one of them in Sevenoaks, where he planned to carry out abuse on a train.

Phone hacking claims

Unbeknown to him, the children did not exist – their profiles were linked to fictitious accounts. He was arrested in Tunbridge Wells on 12 November 2019 and taken into custody.

During police interviews, Lucas initially denied responsibility and claimed his phone ‘had been hacked’.

At Maidstone Crown Court, he admitted two counts of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and three counts of attempting to cause a child to engage in sexual activity.

Lucas denied a further charge of attempting to arrange or facilitate the commission of a child sex offence but was found guilty following a trial.

On Friday 22 September 2023, Lucas, 31, of Hollingworth Road, Maidstone was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment, with an extended licence period of four years.

Upon his release from custody, he will be subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order. He was also added to the sex offender register for life.

Hugely concerning

Detective Constable Carl Evans, of the Paedophile Online Investigation Team, said: ‘Lucas made persistent and repeated efforts to contact children for the purposes of his own gratification. He has displayed a clear desire to meet and abuse them, and the graphic detail and demands he included in his messages was hugely concerning.'This case also acts as a reminder to parents of children who have mobile phones and tablets to speak to them and help them understand the precautions they should take when using the internet, or the many instant messaging services that are available.'Children should only communicate with people that they know personally and report any suspicions or inappropriate advances from strangers to their parents, schools, or the police.’

Description

A paedophile has been jailed after he travelled more than 100 miles to meet an underage girl which turned out to be a police decoy.

Leslie Gearing, 78, went from his home in McKenzie Road, Chatham, to Central Park in Peterborough on February 20 after arranging to meet up with a 13-year-old girl.

He began grooming the “girl” online in December, exchanging messages and sending multiple sexually-explicit images.

He asked all traces be cleared of their conversations and said any photos he received would be put in an encrypted folder on his computer’s hard drive.

He complimented the girl’s appearance but unbeknown to him he was speaking to an undercover police officer. Gearing said she was a “very pretty girl” and he wanted to take naked photos of her and have sex.

He was arrested upon his arrival in Peterborough in a pre-planned operation carried out by members of the Paedophile Online Investigation Team (POLIT).

A search of the man’s car found child-size underwear, sex toys and camera equipment.

More than 30,000 indecent images of children were discovered on different devices in his home and a further examination found more sexual communications with children and adults, with some attempts to arrange sexual activities with minors.

On Monday (September 18), at Cambridge Crown Court, Gearing was jailed for three years and 11 months.

He pleaded guilty to three counts of making indecent photographs of a child, three counts of attempted sexual communication with a child and two counts of causing a child aged 13 to 15 to watch or look at an image of sexual activity.

He also admitted two counts of distributing an indecent photograph of a child, one count of possession of an extreme pornographic image and one count of attempting to meet a child under 16 following grooming.

Gearing was found guilty of a further count of attempting to meet a child under 16 following grooming and this was ordered to lie on file.

DC Cheryl Lee, from the POLIT, said: “Gearing, through his self-serving depravity, was prepared to travel more than 100 miles with no care for the physical and emotional damage he would have caused by engaging in sexual activity with an underage child.

“The items he brought with him show just how much of a risk he poses to children. Thankfully he has been exposed and caught and will be held accountable for his actions.

Description

A teenage girl has been praised for bravely speaking out to put a “dangerous” child predator who groomed her behind bars.

Johnathon Marren, of Cecilia Road in Ramsgate, committed multiple online sex offences after contacting the youngster on social media. He first started talking to the teenager online in December 2020 before beginning a weeks-long grooming campaign. Marren, 26, spoke to the child sexually, sent explicit photos and even sent a list of “rules” to try to control the victim. 
 
In January 2021, the victim, who is from Warwickshire, approached the police with the support of her family. After telling police what had happened, detectives were able to build a case against Marren and arrested him. When he was interviewed, Marren remained silent and only surrendered passwords to his electronic devices when he was warned it was an offence not to do so.

The 26-year-old was subsequently charged with attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity, causing a child to view images of sexual activity, possessing indecent photographs and attempting to meet a girl following grooming. 

On Wednesday last week, Marren was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison in a hearing at Warwick Crown Court.

Det Con Emma Smith, of Warwickshire Police, said: “Marren is a dangerous predator who sought out a young girl in the hopes of completely controlling her.

“So appalling was his attitude, he believed he could even send a list of ‘rules’ that his victim must follow.

“He was quite happy to bombard a child with thousands of appalling messages but he had nothing to say for himself when my colleague and I brought him in for interview.

“All of us at Warwickshire Police are so proud of the girl for her courage. Thanks to her bravery, and the support of her family, we have been able to gather enough evidence to see the court take Marren off the streets.

“I hope this can serve as a message to other young people who might find themselves in this situation. We will listen and we will help.”

Description

A paedophile litter picker who claimed in sexually explicit online chats with young girls to have been a youth worker has been jailed.

Canterbury Crown Court heard that Mark Clover, from Folkestone, communicated with a 12-year-old girl via WhatsApp over a four-and-a-half month period and tried to get her to send him an image of her naked breasts.

Their conversations between March and July 2019 began innocently, with Clover telling her he was a "good and loyal person" and she was "beautiful".

However, they were soon filled with references to puberty, male genitals and a sex toy.

When that chat came to an end after his perverted request for the topless photo was refused, Clover moved onto Kik messenger where he told his 14-year-old victim he was looking for "role play and maybe love".

But he claimed during his trial he was not responsible for any of the deviant conversations, despite admitting to police after his arrest that his phone was with him "24/7, nines times out of 10".

A former flatmate also described Clover as being "very possessive" over the device.

The 36-year-old, however, told the court he would lend his phone to others to use, and spoke of his email account being hacked.

Clover, who was a volunteer litter picker in Folkestone between November 2018 and July 2019, also dismissed his "brief" use of a TeenChat app as being for role play and finding people of his age to date. He claimed that an online search for child pornography related to his coursework for an NVQ in childcare.

The Trinity Gardens resident denied inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, sexual communication with a child, and attempted sexual communication with a child.

But he was unanimously convicted on all charges after jury deliberations lasting just one hour.

At the start of his trial, prosecutor James Lofthouse said it was "absurd" to suggest anyone other than Clover was responsible.

Not only were the explicit chats discovered on his phone but they also contained unusual spellings and words such as "Hay" instead of "Hey", "Hugz" for "Hugs" and the regular use of "He he" - all of which were found in his more innocent, day-to-day messages.

Police also found sexually explicit internet search terms in respect of underage girls including "virgin rape" and "10-year-old porn videos", the court heard.

After asking his younger victim to send him a topless photo he apologised and said: "I was truly not trying to be a paedo."

The jury heard he then told the girl, who had expressed a concern about her breasts: "I'm a trained nurse but I have been a youth worker as well."

Although Clover's 12-year-old victim was traced by investigating officers, the identity of the older girl was never discovered, said Mr Lofthouse.

During cross-examination, Clover maintained he was "100% positive" he had not engaged in explicit chats with young girls and said he found the allegation he made numerous searches for child pornography as "quite upsetting".

Asked by Mr Lofthouse why, as a man in his 30s, he went on TeenChat, he told the jury he believed it was a role-playing app and he was looking for dating matches.

At this point, the prosecutor said: "What sort of matches were you looking for on TeenChat?"

Clover replied: "I was looking for people between the ages of 29 and 30. I didn't realise it was that kind of chat."

But Mr Lofthouse retorted: "Teen. Isn't the clue in the word?"

Passing sentence on Wednesday, Judge Simon Taylor KC told Clover his warped actions were neither "a one-off nor a one-victim offence" as he jailed him two years and seven months.

Philip Romans, defending, told the court Clover was dyslexic, had been diagnosed with an emotional personality disorder, and was on benefits.

It is not known if Clover, who has no previous convictions, ever officially worked as a youth worker.

On his release, he will be subject to a sexual harm prevention order and will have to sign on the sex offender register indefinitely.

Description

A former secondary school teacher has been jailed after he was found guilty of sexually assaulting two pupils under his care.

Russell Tillson denied a string of allegations relating to abuse which began in the 1980s but was convicted after a trial at Maidstone Crown Court.

Allegations which related to Tillson’s employment at Tonbridge School were first made to Kent Police in 2018.

An investigation led to evidence he committed offences over a period spanning almost 20 years, in both the classroom and in a private residence he held at the school.

Exploited

Tillson occupied a senior role and any decisions he made could have a significant influence on pupils’ future educational aspirations. He exploited this influence to make advances on victims, including one incident when a boy was offered an enhanced university reference, that Tillson suggested could be achieved by ‘unconventional methods.’

Tillson was arrested in October 2020 and during police interviews denied all allegations put to him, dismissing them as ‘fiction’. He was charged with five counts of indecent assault but denied any wrongdoing and the case went to trial, where an additional count of the same offence was added.

Aged 73, of Ship Close, Dymchurch, Tillson was convicted on four counts. The jury returned not guilty verdicts on the other two charges.

On Friday 1 September 2023, he was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court to five years and eight months. He was also given a 15-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order. 

Damage

DC Josh Gearing, of the West Kent Vulnerability Investigation Team, said: ‘Sex offenders like Tillson wreak incalculable damage on their victims, many who will suffer in silence for years, or throughout their whole lives.'Thankfully in this case the victims have shown tremendous courage to come forward. Today’s sentence will not take away the trauma they were made to endure as children, but it will hopefully bring some closure.‘I hope that this case is a reminder that all non-recent allegations of abuse will always be investigated fully by Kent Police, and we will do everything within our powers to ensure offenders are brought before the courts and punished.’

Description

A former Margate resident convicted of non-recent child sexual offences committed in the UK and abroad has been jailed.

In 2019, the Met Police launched an investigation alongside authorities from the United States of America (USA), France and Israel after two men came forward stating that they had been assaulted more than a decade ago.

Jair Klein, 55, of Majestic Court, Margate was found guilty at Harrow Crown Court on Wednesday, 19 July of five sexual offences committed against two victims.

The charges were:

• Three counts of sexual activity with a child that was aged 10 or 11.
• One count of sexual activity with a child that was aged 13 or 14.
• One count of sexual activity with a child that was aged 14 or 15.

He was found not guilty of a further two counts of sexual activity with a child.

At the Old Bailey on Thursday, 24 August he was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment, extended on licence to 16 in recognition of the danger he poses.

He will also be the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for an indeterminate period.

The father of one of Klein’s victims, said: “This conviction could never have happened without the dedicated professionalism and determination of the Metropolitan Police and the CPS, who were there every step of the way to ensure justice, treating us with consideration and dignity. It has been a difficult journey, but well worth it, and we are delighted with the result.”

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Rogers, said: “Klein abused the trust that had been placed in him by two young children. Whilst the offending started in Barnet, he followed them abroad where he continued to offend.

“I would like to praise the bravery of these men in coming forward and telling officers about what happened. Having pleaded not guilty, Klein forced them to recount their experiences in court. But again, they found the strength to speak out – ultimately leading to this conviction.

“I would also like to thank the authorities in the USA, France and Israel for assisting us with our investigation regarding matters overseas.”

In December 2019, officers from the Met were contacted by two men who informed them that they had been sexually abused – by the same suspect – in the United Kingdom, USA and France between 2010 and 2014.

They detailed how Klein had given them gifts and taken them on days out, including to a swimming pool where he would watch them undress. Once alone, he would abuse them.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Philip Maunders launched a highly complex investigation, and on 27 September 2019, Klein was arrested. He provided a prepared statement in which he denied the allegations, making no further comment.

The investigation gathered further evidence and the witness accounts provided harrowing details. The investigation continued, and on 11 June 2022, he was charged.

During the course of the trial the courts heard that Klein had a previous conviction from Israel 2014 for a similar offence for which he received a three year custodial sentence for.

DC Maunders, said: “Klein was a master manipulator who groomed two children and their families to make them believe he could be trusted with their care.

“I would like to thank the families for their courage and tenacity throughout the investigation and the whole court process.

“I also encourage anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse, whether in the past or recently, to contact police, or any number of charities who can provide support. The Met remain determined to bring perpetrators before the courts.”

Description

A Ramsgate man who carried out sexual offences against girls has been jailed for 10 years.

Victor Walkom, formerly of Dumpton Park Road, was charged with five counts of sexual activity with a child and one count of causing a child to watch a sexual act.

The offences took place in 2016 and 2017, when the two victims were aged less than 15 years old.

Investigation
The victims later reported the offences to Kent Police, prompting an investigation by detectives from the Vulnerability Investigation Team.

Walkom denied the charges but was found guilty of all six counts by a jury at Canterbury Crown Court.

The 84-year-old was sentenced to 10 years at the same court on Tuesday 15 August 2023. He was also made the subject of an indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Description

A “depraved” paedophile has been locked up after years of his child sex offending were uncovered.

Thomas Hawkwood, 69, was responsible for the rape and indecent assault of a child dating back to the 1990s.

He was arrested in November 2020 as part of an investigation by the Medway Vulnerability Investigation Team but denied any wrong doing.

Hawkwood, of Wrotham Road, Gravesend, was later charged with inciting a child into sexual activity, rape and indecent assault.

A trial took place at Woolwich Crown Court earlier this month where it was heard he had harassed his victim with threats of violence and abused them.

He was found guilty by a jury on eight charges.

On Monday he was sentenced to 14 years in prison and put on the sex offenders register.

‘He terrorised a vulnerable child with threats of violence...’

Luke Grimmett, who led the case against the sex offender, said: “Hawkwood is a depraved and intimidating individual who has shown no remorse for his appalling actions. He terrorised a vulnerable child with threats of violence and subjected them to the most abhorrent abuse.

“Offenders like Hawkwood wreak incalculable damage upon their victims and it is sometimes extremely hard for them to come forward and report what they have experienced to the police.

“In this case, the victim has thankfully found tremendous courage to provide evidence and ensure Hawkwood has now faced justice.

“I do hope this sentence reassures the public that we will do everything we can to put offenders behind bars and support survivors as much as we can.

“It is never too late to report any sexual offence, you will be supported by specially trained officers throughout the process, and we always treat any information with the utmost confidence and sensitivity.”

Description

A child sex offender who subjected his victim to horrific violence has been jailed for eight years.

Jason Robson, from Ramsgate, forced their head into a toilet, held a knife to their throat and pushed them down a flight of stairs.

He also committed a number of sexual offences against the victim in addition to repeatedly punching and kicking them.

The historic crimes were reported to police in June 2020 and Robson, 47, of Grummock Avenue, was arrested and later charged.

He denied all the allegations but was found guilty of the attacks, alongside five child sex offences following a trial at Canterbury Crown Court.

Robson was jailed for eight years last Tuesday.

Investigating officer DC Chris Radley said: “The victim in this case showed tremendous courage in coming forward to report the awful offences committed against them.

“I would like to pay tribute to them for the dignity they have shown throughout, and for continuing to support the investigation even when Jason Robson refused to accept responsibility for his crimes and put the victim through the difficulty of a crown court trial.

“Robson was responsible for a number of shocking offences over a prolonged period that will no doubt affect the victim for the rest of their lives.

“He thoroughly deserves the lengthy prison sentence he must now serve for the suffering they were put through at his hands.”

Description

A sex offender from Sheerness has been jailed for five years.

Jake Crawley, of Granville Road, committed multiple online sex offences after contacting a 15-year-old child on social media.

Between November and December 2022, Crawley sent the child obscene messages and as well as inappropriate gifts, including money and a bottle of alcohol, despite knowing the recipient was underage.

Kent Police was notified of the offences on 28 December 2022 and, following initial enquiries, investigating officers executed a search warrant at Crawley’s home address on 4 January 2023.

Detectives seized a mobile phone containing photos and videos of the victim, as well as chat logs from social media apps. Investigators also recovered packaging and order forms for the gifts he had sent.

Charged
Crawley was arrested and taken into custody where he was later charged with sexual offences, including two counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, paying for the sexual services of a child, and sexual communications with a child.

The 26-year-old was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday 14 July 2023, after pleading guilty to all charges.

Sentenced
Crawley was jailed for five years and is subject to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order. He was also added to the sex offender’s register for life.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Mel Ling said:

‘Crawley instigated obscene conversations with the victim for his own sexual gratification, all the while knowing that they were underage. He took complete advantage of the child, demonstrating a total lack of care for their emotional, mental, psychological, and physical wellbeing.

‘His behaviour will leave a lasting impact on the victim, and I hope that his imprisonment will bring the child and their family some comfort.‘

Kent Police will continue to track down those who seek to abuse young victims and bring them to justice for their heinous crimes.’

Description

A teenager from Strood has been jailed for 12 years after he targeted children online and then committed multiple sexual offences against them, including rape. 

Emmanuel Agbaje groomed his young victims using social media platforms, before they were blackmailed and subjected to appalling abuse.

The offences were committed between September 2021 and August 2022, and involved nine children, all teenage girls. 

Agbaje would contact the victims online and either introduce himself or pretend to be someone else. He would build up a relationship and trust, before convincing them to exchange intimate photos.

After receiving these photos he would blackmail the girls by threatening to distribute the images unless they met with him.

At a number of these meetings, Agbaje raped and sexually abused the victims. To prevent them from telling anyone of the abuse, he made threats to harm them, including sending one victim a photograph of their own front door.

Guilty pleas

In November 2022, Agbaje appeared at Staines Magistrates’ Court, sitting as a youth court, where he pleaded guilty to 30 charges which included but were not limited to – two counts of rape, 10 counts of sexual activity with a child and nine counts of blackmail.

He was also convicted of inciting the sexual exploitation of a child, sending communications conveying a threatening message and threatening to disclose private sexual images with intent to cause distress. A further 24 counts were ordered by the court to lie on file. 

At Maidstone Crown Court on Wednesday 28 June 2023, the 17-year-old was sentenced to 12 years in jail, of which he will have to serve at least two thirds before he can apply for parole.

The judge deemed Agbaje ‘dangerous’ and later lifted reporting restrictions, which would normally prevent the naming of a juvenile offender.  

Upon release from prison Agbaje will be subject to an additional licence period of four years. He was also added to the Sex Offender Register for life.

Predatory and dangerous

The case was investigated by Detective Constables Abigail Palmer and Daniel Burnett, both of Medway’s Vulnerability Investigation Team.

DC Daniel Burnett said: ‘Agbaje was responsible for a catalogue of appalling offences. He instilled terror in his victims, to control and coerce them and satisfy his own warped desires.

‘I want to commend each victim in coming forward and supporting this investigation. Their bravery and courage to speak up and report these offences has ensured that we have been able to secure these convictions against a predatory and extremely dangerous individual.

‘His actions have both physically and mentally affected each victim. They now have to learn to rebuild their lives and trust in others. I only hope that this sentence can help to give closure to the victims and allow them to move forward.’

Description

A woman has told of the horror of discovering her fianc was a paedophile just days after the birth of their baby girl.

Amy who has asked for her surname not to be used - looked through Jamie Kennedy's phone as he slept at their Sittingbourne home because she suspected he was cheating on her.

But instead she found he had been blackmailing children into sending him naked pictures on Instagram.

The shocking revelation sparked a series of events that would ultimately lead to Kennedy going on trial at Canterbury Crown Court.

The 41-year-old, who more recently lived opposite a play park in Herne Bay, was convicted of 16 charges relating to rape, sexual activity with children, and possessing indecent images.

After the hearing, his ex-fiance spoke to KentOnline about the awful moment she learned the truth about her partner, and how she fought for years to bring him to justice.

The shocking discovery

Amys suspicions first arose following the birth of their daughter in 2016, as Kennedy was spending a lot of time on his phone and showed little interest in their newborn baby.

Five days after they returned home from hospital, Amy took the opportunity to check his messages.

I was up in the middle of the night with our baby and his phone was on charge on the floor, so I picked it up thinking he was definitely having an affair, she said.

At first I couldnt find anything but I kept looking and eventually I saw all these conversations with really young girls sending fully nude photos. It was awful.

I was in complete and utter shock - we were engaged, saving for a mortgage and Id just had a baby 17 days before.

I literally lost everything in the space of an hour. My child no longer had a dad. My mortgage plans were off. Our wedding was off. In the snap of a finger Id become a single parent who had essentially lost her whole life.

I didnt know what to do so I carried the baby into my mums room and said: You need to get up.

She said whats wrong? and I replied: Jamies a paedophile.

Three days later, after agonising over whether she was overreacting or being influenced by the trauma of her complicated birth just weeks before, Amy asked her mother to report Kennedy to the police.

The trial at Canterbury Crown Court heard Amy and her mother stayed up all night copying and transferring the evidence from Kennedys online communications with young girls, conscious that he had destroyed a phone in a previous argument.

Everyone knows hes a nonce

Despite these events taking place in 2016, Kennedy was only convicted last month, with some of the offences he was found guilty of taking place as recently as last year.

The jury ruled he groomed a series of girls aged between 11 and 16, plying them with perfume and promises of a career in modelling, over a period of almost 25 years.

The court heard that a year after Amy raised the alarm about Kennedy, she was at barbecue when she learned her former partner had a history of targeting young girls.

Prosecutor Nina Ellin KC told the jury that when the partys host showed a picture of her sons christening to the gathering, one guest pointed to Kennedy and said: Why is a nonce at a christening?

Amy approached the guest to ask what they meant and she replied: Hes a nonce, hes always been a nonce. Everyone knows hes a nonce.

More revelations emerge

Amy later reported to police information she had received that Kennedy had been romantically pursuing an underage schoolgirl almost 10 years before.

Two years later, after discovering the lead had not been followed up, she reached out to the girl herself and asked if she would consider speaking to police.

It transpired she had been 16 at the time of Kennedy's approaches - so not underage - but had been victim to the most heinous of crimes, which she reported to detectives with Amy's encouragement.

During the trial, she told how Kennedy had messaged her online and made flirty conversation. But he then threatened to share the screenshots of their chats with her parents unless she did what he asked.

The blackmail escalated until she felt forced to meet him. She bravely described in court how he raped and sexually assaulted her in his car while it was parked down a country lane.

After interviewing the girl, detectives charged Kennedy, and the report of his impending court case in the media encouraged another victim to come forward.

This victim had met Kennedy more than 20 years ago, when she was just 13, and following an invite to Sunday lunch he sexually assaulted her while a relative lay passed out drunk just metres away.

In court she spoke of the guilt she felt over having not come forward sooner and potentially preventing the harm that came to his later victims.

The final charges against Kennedy related to offences that took place last year while he was on bail awaiting trial.

The court was told how he coerced a 13-year-old girl into sexual activity at his home, with the victim and her family unaware he was facing a trial for rape.

Kennedys lies exposed

When first confronted with the allegations in a police interview, Kennedy said he was messaging children on social media purely for research purposes for an online safety app he was developing.

But after it was discovered he had only registered the business under the name Keyword the day after he was caught, he admitted this was untrue.

However, Kennedy told jurors he only lied because he was being blackmailed by Amy - outrageously claiming that she had in fact committed all of the crimes he was accused of.

Describing her as 100% evil, he accused her of forcing him to go to the police to admit to the offences or she would take away his newborn daughter.

Kennedy rebuked every claim made against him and said that all but the allegation stemming from more than 20 years ago could be traced back to Amy in some way.

On the charges relating to that historic abuse, he alleged the victim had seen the news of his arrest and decided to jump on the bandwagon.

Addressing the jury, prosecutor Nina Ellin KC rubbished these claims, saying: If you were going to break up with someone would you do it this way? If you were going to break things off with your daughters father, would you want people to believe he was a paedophile? If you were going to frame someone as a paedophile, is this how you would go about it?

The damning verdict

Jurors took just under 11 hours to unanimously convict Kennedy of all 16 charges.

He was found guilty of two counts of causing or attempting to cause a child to engage in sexual activity, three counts relating to indecent images of children, six counts of rape and sexual assault, and five counts of sexual activity with a child.

Kennedy closed his eyes in anguish as soon as the first guilty verdict was read.

He was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on September 8.

Following the verdict, Amy took her daughter to the park and for the first time let her play without feeling the need to stand over her shoulder or hold her hand constantly for fear that her father would appear.

She said despite her holding a non-molestation order against him he had harassed her online and in person for the last seven years, forcing her to move house three times.

She told KentOnline said: Throughout the seven years there have been times when Ive been beside myself, probably depressed and had overwhelming anxiety, but Ive had to just keep going knowing eventually we will get there.

Then when the trial arrived I didnt want it to because I was just so scared that he would get away with it.

Hearing the verdict was a very surreal experience. I sat between my mum and my husband and they each held one of my hands for that awful wait.

The public gallery is so close to where the defendant sits and he came in and he just stared at me even in the courtroom he was still trying to intimidate me.

But then the absolute relief when I heard that guilty was something I've never experienced before.

We all burst into tears because you are all pent up with adrenaline and anxiety.

It was surreal because I had felt like I was never going to get there. It had been going on for so long and it had such a huge impact on our lives.

Amy admits that she has spent a long time almost blaming myself and questioning whether there were signs she should have seen.

But I think as time has gone on Ive realised no, there wasnt, she said.

He got away with this for such a long time.

Should he have been stopped sooner?

Although Amy is relieved justice has prevailed, she feels frustrated that it took seven years from Kennedys initial arrest in 2016 for him to be convicted.

She believes if police had been quicker to take action, the harm caused to Kennedys more recent victims could have been avoided.

On Kennedys latest victim, she said: Can you imagine being that poor girl's parents? Going to the police and them saying that they know thats what hes doing, hes under investigation.

How can someone who is sexually abusing children be allowed to walk the streets?

I just think how could you ever apologise to those parents enough, because had the case been dealt with properly from the beginning he would have been in prison and that child would not have been a victim.

Supt Nick Sparkes, of Kent Polices North Division, says the force places victims at the heart of everything we do and investigates reports of crime as swiftly and efficiently as possible.

He added: In this particular case, the suspect was arrested one day after the initial report was received and an investigation was launched.

Subsequent enquiries led to the identification of more victims, prompting a highly complex and sensitive investigation. This included carrying out various interviews with witnesses and victims and gathering evidential materials, including downloading and analysing numerous digital devices.

This investigation resulted in several sexual offence charges being authorised and a conviction at court with the offender awaiting sentencing. We hope this provides some justice and closure for the victims in this case.

We are committed to ongoing learning and have measures in place to ensure the strongest possible casefiles are submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service at the first attempt.

We are continuing to review the circumstances of this case to identify any areas of improvement and future learning and have since been in touch with those involved to address any concerns raised.

Description

A former teacher who worked at a Catholic comprehensive secondary school in Westgate-on-Sea has been “indefinitely” banned from teaching in England after sending sexually explicit messages to a minor.

Lee Startup, 50, who had been employed as curriculum leader for geography at Ursuline College since 2016, was arrested by police in 2021.

In January 2022 he was convicted of engaging in sexual communication with a child and sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for 24 months. Mr Startup was made subject to a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years and required to sign the sex offenders register for 10 years.

Despite the offence not involving any pupil from the school, he was suspended from work and is "no longer in the employment of the Trust or the school", the college has confirmed. During a professional conduct panel of the Teaching Regulation Agency, it was decided that prohibition was both “proportionate and appropriate”.

The report by the TRA, which was published this week, stated that the allegation against Mr Startup was supported by evidence presented to the panel. Mr Startup was not present at the hearing nor represented. The panel concluded his absence was voluntary and he was aware that the matter would proceed in his absence.

The panel noted sentencing remarks from the judge that stated Mr Startup had posed "as someone under half his age" and "actively engaged in sexualised communication with a real child". The TRA reports states the judge added during sentencing "The messages were explicit, I'm afraid, and provide a clear indication of you having sexual interest in children of her age. And I'm afraid your protestations to the contrary somewhat dilute your expressions of remorse".

The report also highlights no evidence was provided to the panel that Mr Startup had demonstrated insight or remorse into his behaviour. However they did note the judge's remarks that Mr Startup efforts to "try to understand what led to his offending of this nature", had "just about" convinced the judge to avoid sending him to prison that day.

During the hearing, the panel had not received any testimonial evidence speaking of Mr Startup’s character, but inferred from evidence that he was a “good teacher”. However, the report added: “There was no evidence that he was an exceptional teacher or has made a significant contribution to the teaching profession.”

The panel considered the public interest in respect of “the protection of pupils”, adding that public confidence in the profession could “be seriously weakened” if such conduct was “not treated with the utmost seriousness when regulating the conduct of the profession”. The report reads: “The panel found that the seriousness of the offending behaviour that led to the conviction was relevant to Mr Startup's ongoing suitability to teach.

“The panel considered that a finding that this conviction was for a relevant offence was necessary to reaffirm clear standards of conduct so as to maintain public confidence in the teaching profession."

“The panel was satisfied that the conduct of Mr Startup in relation to the facts it found proved, involved breaches of the Teachers’ Standards,” it reads. It also mentioned the “effect of alcohol misuse” which may have impacted his behaviour, but there was limited information about this. The panel noted that there is no evidence to demonstrate that Mr Startup “has proactively taken meaningful steps to minimise the risk of repetition of his behaviour”.

'A prohibition order is proportionate'

After considering all evidence put before him, TRA decision maker David Oatley said: “In my judgement, the lack of insight means that there is some risk of the repetition of this behaviour and this puts at risk the future wellbeing of pupils. I have therefore given this element considerable weight in reaching my decision.

“A prohibition order would prevent Mr Startup from teaching. A prohibition order would also clearly deprive the public of his contribution to the profession for the period that it is in force.

For these reasons, I have concluded that a prohibition order is proportionate and in the public interest in order to achieve the intended aims of a prohibition order. I consider therefore that allowing for no review period is necessary to maintain public confidence and is proportionate and in the public interest.”

He added: "This means that Mr Startup is prohibited from teaching indefinitely and cannot teach in any school, sixth form college, relevant youth accommodation or children’s home in England. Furthermore, in view of the seriousness of the allegation found proved against him, I have decided that Mr Startup shall not be entitled to apply for restoration of his eligibility to teach."

Executive director of education at the Kent Catholic Schools Partnership (KCSP) Mike Walters said: “KCSP and the Ursuline College were made aware in late August 2020 of a serious allegation of professional misconduct involving Mr Startup. Steps were immediately taken to ensure that Mr Startup was suspended from work and he is no longer in the employment of the Trust or the school. The allegation did not relate to any pupil or staff member in the school, the Trust or the locality.”

Mr Startup has been approached for a comment.

Description

A sex offender from Snodland who repeatedly abused a child over a period of almost 10 years has been jailed.

Martin Emery was convicted of a catalogue of offences, after he targeted his vulnerable victim during a series of assaults between 1997 and 2005.

Allegations of abuse were first reported to Kent Police on 18 February 2018 and Emery, who was living in Chatham at the time, was arrested the same day.

An investigation uncovered that Emery had also secretly filmed his victim, and further offences were identified after several devices were seized from his home including a hard drive and USB stick.

The devices were found to contain hundreds of indecent images of children downloaded from the internet, many of which were in the most serious category.

They also included evidence of obscene and extreme images and videos, some of which involved animals.

Trial and conviction

In June 2021, Emery appeared before Medway Magistrates‘ Court where he only admitted to four charges relating to possessing and making indecent images of children, as well as a charge of possessing extreme pornographic images.

Emery denied all the allegations of child sexual abuse but following a trial at Maidstone Crown Court was found guilty of seven counts of indecent assault, sexual assault and voyeurism.

The 64-year-old, of Birling Road, Snodland was sentenced on Wednesday 3 May, to five years’ imprisonment.

He was also made the subject of a 10-year sexual harm prevention order.

Harrowing abuse

DC Wendy Tondeur, of the North Kent Vulnerability Investigation Team, said: ‘Emery had the trust of a child and exploited this trust in the worst possible way, by subjecting her to systematic and harrowing abuse. The victim was left feeling helpless and with nowhere to turn, but thankfully in recent years found the courage to come forward and help us ensure Emery has now been brought to justice.‘I would urge anyone who has been a victim of any sexual offence to remember that it is never too late to report this to police. We have a team of specialist officers who work relentlessly to ensure that offenders like Emery do not evade justice, just because a crime may have happened a long time ago. We will always treat any information with the upmost confidence and sensitivity.’

Description

A Chatham sex offender who conspired with a woman to sexually abuse young children has been jailed for eight and a half years.

Tristan Goodwin, 24, and Angel Fuller, 19, were both jaied today at Maidstone Crown Court, following sex offences committed against children over a two-year period.

The court heard how Goodwin committed sex offences with a child on at least three occasions after Fuller arranged for them to meet him between May 2021 and January 2022.

Later that year, Fuller took another child to meet Goodwin, who went on to rape them.

Fuller, of Churchill Avenue, Chatham, and Goodwin, of Edinburgh Road, Chatham, were both arrested on 24 May, and detectives found Goodwin had being paying Fuller to introduce him to child victims.

Officers also discovered he had groomed two children in 2020, after he made contact with them on social media.

Their investigations found he had persuaded them to send indecent images and then meet him, before he sexually assaulted them.

Goodwin was charged with raping a child, two counts of arranging the commission of a child sex offence, two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, two counts of paying for the sexual services of a child and possession of indecent images.

Fuller was charged with aiding and abetting the rape of a child and two counts of arranging the commission of a child sex offence.

Both pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court today and Goodwin was jailed for eight and a half years. He will serve a further four years on licence under the terms of an extended sentence.

Fuller was jailed for four and a half years.

Both offenders have also been made subject to sexual harm prevention orders and added to the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Grant Broad, said: “Goodwin and Fuller worked together to target young, vulnerable victims and their depraved actions will leave a lasting impact on the victims’ lives.

“I wish to commend the courage of these vulnerable victims in supporting this investigation and ensuring a dangerous predator has been held to account for his appalling actions.

“If anyone has been a victim of any sexual offence it is never too late to report this to the police. We will always treat any information with the upmost confidence and sensitivity.’