Latest Offenders Kent

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George Chinnery, 22, of Anne of Cleves Road, was previously convicted of one count of raping a boy under the age of 13, and one count of inciting a boy under the age of 13 to engage in sexual activity.

The verdict was delivered at St Albans Crown Court on December 8, 2021, where he was also sentenced on Monday, January 31.

Chinnery committed the offences in 2013, when he was 14-year-old, in the Welwyn Hatfield area of Hertfordshire.

He orally raped the victim when they were alone together in the summer holidays, also forcing them to touch him inappropriately.

The victim felt unable to disclose the abuse to anyone until the summer of 2020, when he told a close family member what happened.

Detective Constable Laurence Harwood, from Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Joint Child Protection Investigation Team, said: “The victim in this case has suffered unimaginably due to Chinnery’s abhorrent actions, and it has negatively impacted his mental health for nearly ten years.

“Following support from mental health practitioners, in mid-2020 the victim finally felt able to tell someone he trusted about what Chinnery had done to him.

“However, the defendant denied all the allegations, meaning the victim was subjected to cross-examination by the defence during the seven-day trial.

“This, understandably, caused him and his family an indescribable amount of emotional distress but they showed nothing but honesty, dignity and true emotion throughout.

“My team and I have been humbled by the victim’s courage and we hope this result will enable him to have closure, so he can move forward and rebuild his life.

“Chinnery has never shown any remorse for his perverted crimes.

“We will always do everything we can to convict perpetrators and support victims of child sexual abuse.

“While we are pleased to have achieved this result, it sadly does not lessen the effect of the trauma suffered by the victim in the wake of the abuse he endured.

“I wish him and his family all the very best for the future, and I hope they can find some peace.”

Chinnery will be on the Sex Offenders’ Register indefinitely and has been ordered to not go within five miles of the victim’s home. On his release, he will remain on licence for seven years.

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A sex offender has appeared in court days before Christmas - dressed as an elf.

Janiel Verainer was allowed to sit next to a helper in the public gallery rather than in the dock at Maidstone Crown Court.

The 60-year-old was dressed in a red and green seasonal outfit, together with a woollen cardigan with a Santa Claus badge, and a red and green elf-like cap.

As Verainer - who was addressed as she throughout the 15-minute hearing - walked into court, together with a helper, bells jangled from the costume.

Thumb-sucking Verainer, of High Street, Chatham, admitting a breach of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Judge Philip St-John Stevens heard that between December 18, 2019, and January 31 this year Verainer approached two children.

He was told that the incidents - which involved kissing the girls on the lips - was in breach of an order imposed at Canterbury Crown Court in November 2016 - which meant Verainer had to stay away from children.

Details of the breaches were not outlined in detail before the judge adjourned sentence until February 25 next year for a probation report to be prepared. A psychiatric report has already been done.

Three other charges of failing to comply with the SHPO will remain on file.

At an earlier hearing - appearing in pigtails and sucking a dummy - Verainer had denied the charges.

In November 2016 Verainer was given a ticking off from a judge - after sitting in the dock during a case hugging a large doll.

Judge Adele Williams told defence barrister Paul Hogben: That is totally inappropriate and I make it plain she will not be doing that for the rest of the hearing.

On that occasion Verainer, asking to be called Jorven Seren and claiming to identify as a five-year-old girl, was jailed for 15 months for kissing a girl outside a cafe in Thanet.

Then living in Grotto Hill, Margate, indecent images were also found on Verainer's phone.

At the time psychiatrists concluded the defendant had personality problems but no mental health issues.

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Darren Elphick, 50, groomed an underage girl into having sex with him by buying her expensive gifts. A senior church bell ringer who groomed an underage girl into having sex with him by buying her expensive gifts has been jailed for six years. A court heard Darren Elphick ignored warnings from others about his 'disconcerting and weird' behaviour. The 50-year-old would abuse her at his home near Maidstone, as well as in his car and secluded, wooded areas. He told his victim to keep it a secret but eventually ended it, telling her he 'didn't want it becoming public'. But the abuse was eventually reported to police and Elphick was arrested in December 2018. He later pleaded guilty to four charges of sexual activity with a child, three of taking indecent photos of a child, one of possessing an indecent image, and one of possessing extreme pornographic images. When arrested, he was the secretary and 'tower captain' at St Peter and St Paul Church in the village of Aylesford, but was immediately suspended by Rochester Diocese. None of the offences were committed on church property, however. Jailing Elphick on Tuesday (November 23) Judge Robert Lazarus told him he had caused long-standing psychological harm and left his victim blaming herself. "It ought not be necessary to say this but any adult who encounters a child has a duty to protect them from harm and you didn't. In fact, you went out of your way to harm her," the judge told Elphick. "It may be more palatable for you to see this in some way as a consensual relationship but the harm suffered by her has a very long reach indeed. "Horrifically, at times she has believed that this was all her fault."

'She feels sad for her younger self'

Prosecutor Kathryn Hirst told Maidstone Crown Court that having befriended the girl, Elphick started buying her presents. But he ignored the concerns of others and what then progressed to kissing and touching eventually led to sexual intercourse while she was still underage, added Ms Hirst. "The Crown submit there was 'evidence of grooming prior to the commencement of the sexual relationship," she said. "He was warned that she was under 16 and he shouldn't do anything inappropriate with her. He would acknowledge this and agree." Referring to the victim's impact statement made once Elphick had been reported to police, Ms Hirst told the court: "As she has matured, she realises what happened was abuse. "She feels sad for her younger self....and feels part of her childhood has been taken away." When arrested, police discovered the indecent images, which included one of the girl taken without her knowledge while they were having sex, and others of unidentified children aged 12 to 14. Elphick also had four extreme pornographic movies depicting a woman having sex with an animal which had been sent to him via WhatsApp.

'He was flattered by her attention'

Irshad Sheikh, defending, said Elphick, who has no previous convictions, was 'flattered' by the girl's attention but should have put an immediate stop to it. "He accepts it should never have begun and should never have continued in the way it did," he told the court. "She was a child, he was much older. He should never have let it progress the way it did. He is genuinely remorseful." On his release from prison, Elphick, from Aylesford, will be subject indefinitely to signing on the sex offender register and to a sexual harm prevention order. He will also be barred from working with children and vulnerable adults. Detective Constable Hannah Crittenden, of the Paedophile Online Investigation Team, said: "Elphick gained the trust of a child and exploited this trust in the worst possible way, by subjecting her to repeated abuse. "The victim was warned to keep the abuse secret and not to tell anyone, but thankfully in recent years has found the courage to come forward and help us ensure Elphick 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 Elphick do not evade justice, just because a crime may have happened a long time ago. "We will always treat any information with the utmost confidence and sensitivity."

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A pervert who sent explicit images of himself to a child has been locked up.

Christopher Brimstead, 31, from East Malling took the images and then sent them to the youngster, between November 2018 and January 2019

Brimstead, previously from Jasmine Close, used a computer to take the photos and sent explicit messages to her, asking her to engage in sexual activity.

The child reported the offences in April 2019 and officers arrested Brimstead.

He was later charged with engaging in sexual communication with a child, which he admitted at Maidstone Crown Court last week where he was jailed for 12 months.

Upon Brimstead’s release from prison he will be the subject of a restraining order and a sexual harm prevention order for 10 years.

The order places restrictions on his access to the internet and prohibits contact with girls under the age of 16.

He will also be placed on the sex offenders’ register indefinitely.

DC Victoria Baker said: "Brimstead abused trust shown to him in the worst possible way, trying to exploit a child for his own gratification.

I’m pleased he has been sentenced and I hope that this sentencing goes some way to helping the victim to find some closure and move forward with her life.

"Kent Police will always take sexual offences seriously and will investigate thoroughly to ensure that any people who commit criminal offences pay for their actions and that victims get the justice that they deserve."

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Disgraced former Tory MP Charlie Elphicke is facing fresh court proceedings after allegedly failing to pay 35,000 in prosecution costs following his sentence for sexually assaulting two women. The former Dover MP, 50, was jailed for two years in September 2020 after being found guilty of three counts of sexual assault following a month-long trial. He was released from prison in September after serving half of his sentence, but is now facing further proceedings at Uxbridge Magistrates Court on Friday for the alleged non-payment of a 35,000 fine imposed on September 15 2020. The sentencing judge, Mrs Justice Whipple, ordered Elphicke to pay 35,000 within a year towards the costs of the prosecution, which would otherwise fall on the public purse. You have substantial equity in your family home, which is currently up for sale, she told him. Debt However, Elphickes barrister, Ian Winter QC, told the court his client had a fair bit of debt, and that his estranged wife, Natalie Elphicke, now the MP for Dover, loaned him 100,000 to pay legal bills. Her Majestys Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is pursuing the payment of the fine and has enforcement powers, which can include a summons to attend a hearing to explain why it has not been paid or set out when it will be. Refusal to pay could result in a criminal charge being brought. Elphicke is expected to attend Fridays hearing, according to a court official, and if he does not, a warrant could be issued for his arrest. In March, he lost a Court of Appeal challenge against his jail term after his lawyers argued the sentence was too long and should have been suspended. The sentencing judge described Elphicke as a sexual predator who used his success and respectability as a cover and told a pack of lies. During his trial, jurors heard how he had asked one of his victims about bondage and sex, then kissed her and groped her breast before chasing her around his home, chanting: Im a naughty Tory. In the wake of the case, the Commons Standards Committee found that five Conservatives, including his wife, Natalie, had breached the code of conduct over an egregious attempt to influence his legal proceedings. As a result Mrs Elphicke, Sir Roger Gale and Theresa Villiers were suspended from the House of Commons for a day. They, along with Bob Stewart and Adam Holloway, had written to senior members of the judiciary raising concerns that a more junior judge was considering publishing character references provided for Mr Elphicke. Elphicke became a Government whip during David Camerons premiership in 2015, but returned to the backbenches when Theresa May came to power the following year. He had the party whip suspended in 2017 when allegations of sexual assault first emerged, but it was controversially reinstated a year later for a crucial confidence vote in then-prime minister Mrs May. The whip was withdrawn again the following summer when the Crown Prosecution Service announced its decision to charge Elphicke.

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A Sheppey paedophile who was found in possession of more than 1,000 indecent images of children has been jailed for three years.

Michael Frost, 57, of Minster-on-Sea, denied three counts of making an indecent photograph of a child but was found guilty following a trial at Maidstone Crown Court.

He was sentenced to three years' imprisonment on November 5 after Kent Police branded him a "danger to the public".

Frost was already the subject of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order when he committed the offences, which meant his behaviour was being closely monitored by Kent Polices Violent and Sex Offender Register (ViSOR) Team.

As part of the regular checks, the officers became suspicious that Frost was accessing indecent materials online and detained him at his home address.

Devices belonging to him were then found to contain 1,048 indecent images of children.

Detective Sergeant Vicky Whitmill, from Kent Police, said: "Our ViSOR officers are based across the county and diligently monitor individuals who present a danger to the public.

"A particular focus is preventing offences taking place, supporting victims, and ensuring robust action is taken against those who seek to offend.

"When we learned of Frosts illegal activity, we took immediate action to detain him before a thorough review of evidence led to charges being authorised.

"The investigating officer demonstrated tenacity and commitment to build this case and her outstanding work has led to a prison sentence being imposed against a man who has shown a remorseless and determined nature to access images of child abuse.

"I additionally hope this case serves as a reminder that we will always use the full remit of our powers to keep people safe and take action against those responsible for causing harm."

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A paedophile who had indecent images of children has been jailed for a second time for failing to sign on the sex offenders register and hiding two phones from police.

Robert Kavanagh, of Birling Road Snodland, was jailed in 2018 for a year after possessing the illegal images.

On his release he was under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order which restricted the 46-year-old from using devices which could access the internet.

But in October 2019 officers entered his home and found he had attempted to conceal two mobile phones, both of which were able to access the internet and store images.

Checks showed Kavanagh had used one of the phones on the day he was released. Neither of the devices were disclosed to police.

He was also required to sign on the sex offenders registers on an annual basis, but failed to do so in 2019 and 2021.

'He appears to have no understanding of the gravity of his actions...'

Additionally, the Snodland man moved to a different address and failed to notify police.

Kavanagh was charged with breaching the sexual harm prevention order and with four counts of failing to comply with a sex offender's notification requirement.

He pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court on Wednesday, October 13, and was sentenced to 10 months' imprisonment.

Natalie Armstrong, of Kent Police's west Kent offender management team, said: "Kavanagh has been given every opportunity to engage in rehabilitation and was subject to strict measures designed to reduce the risk of him reoffending.

"He has been unable to adhere to these restrictions and has demonstrated a clear determination to access the internet, including online chatrooms.

"He appears to have no understanding of the gravity of his actions and has repeatedly sought to obstruct police during our efforts to carry out checks and monitor his behaviour.

"Orders such as these are passed by the courts to help protect children from harm and as this case shows, Kent Police will do everything we can to ensure those who ignore them face the consequences of their actions."

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Paul Wallis, a 66-year-old man, has been sentenced for committing a series of child sexual offences over more than three decades.

The offences, which spanned from 1984 to 2016, involved indecent assault, sexually assaulting a child under 13, and sexual activity with a child. Wallis carried out the abuse when he was drunk and when opportunities arose, including attacking victims while they were asleep and vulnerable. Some of the incidents took place at his home in Hoades Wood Road, Sturry, during sleepovers. The crimes were committed against multiple victims, including an incident in the 1980s where he groped a 12-year-old. Four other victims also came forward regarding the abuse.

At Canterbury Crown Court, Wallis pleaded guilty before trial to three counts of indecent assault, one count of sexually assaulting a child under 13, and four counts of sexual activity with a child. Six additional sexual offence charges were ordered to lie on file. He was sentenced to seven years in prison.

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A former police officer from Kent has been sentenced after he admitted viewing child abuse material online.

Thomas Blant, 38, was arrested in January 2020 after NCA investigators identified that a website hosting child sexual abuse material had been accessed via TOR (The Onion Router) from his house in Wye, Ashford.

Following a search of his address officers seized a number of digital devices, including his phone and laptop, which were forensically analysed.

TOR, the tool which offers anonymous online browsing and access to the dark web, had been downloaded on the laptop, as well as a computer cleaning app, which can be used to remove traces of illegal activity.

17 indecent images of children (IIOC), made up of categories A and C, were recovered from Blant's laptop, despite his attempts to delete them.

A further four indecent images of children were also recovered from one of Blant's old mobile phones.

He was released on bail and further arrested in February 2020 following analysis of his devices.

Blant was working as a constable for Kent Police at the time of his offending. He was suspended from duty upon his initial arrest and has since been dismissed from the force.

On 22 July 2021 he pleaded guilty to two counts of making IIOC at Folkestone Magistrates Court.

Today [06/10/2021] at Maidstone Crown Court he was handed a 12 month jail term suspended for two years, a five year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and placed on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

Martin Ludlow from the National Crime Agency said: "Blant's offending is an outrageous misuse of trust.

"His role as a police officer was to protect the public. Instead, he sought out images of child abuse for his own sexual gratification. Offenders who view such material online only encourage those willing to sexually abuse children in the real world.

"Combatting this threat remains one of the highest priorities for the NCA. We are committed to targeting the most dangerous offenders and those who, like Blant, go to great lengths to hide their activity, believing they can operate with impunity online.

"As this investigation shows, there is nowhere to hide. We will use all of the tools at our disposal to identify those who pose a sexual threat to children and ensure they are brought to justice."

Detective Chief Superintendent Jon Armory, Kent Police's Head of Professional Standards, said: "It is abhorrent that Blant has committed these offences, particularly while working as a police officer.

"His actions helped fuel the demand for children to be exploited which is a complete betrayal of his duty to protect the vulnerable.

"Blant was suspended from our force as soon as the allegations were first received and we fully supported our colleagues in the National Crime Agency with their criminal investigation. As soon as he admitted the offences in court, we progressed with special case proceedings which led to his dismissal on 17 August.

"The vast majority of our officers and staff do an outstanding job serving the public in line with the highest standards of professionalism and conduct, and we expect no less from them. Those who fall short will face scrutiny."

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A purely evil and dangerous sexual predator who repeatedly raped a young girl has been jailed. Darren Shillito, of Victoria Park in Dover, was convicted of three counts of rape after a trial at Canterbury Crown Court. The 40-year-old was today jailed for 18 years and wont be eligible for early release until the parole board deem him safe. The victims mum told how she has lost her happy smiling little girl, who has since suffered suicidal thoughts. She said: The whole situation has devastated our family - there are no words to explain. My little girl, my miracle baby who had to endure the relentless horrors, I have lost my happy smiling little girl. This man is a dangerous sexual predator capable of pure evil. 'These allegations were before the jury and they were sure, as am I, that she gave a reliable account of what happened.' Shillito could be seen with his head in his hands as the statement was read, then called out inaudibly as his sentence was discussed. Cutting him short, Judge Catherine Brown said: If you continue to mutter and call out you will be taken to the cells and this hearing will continue without you. You maintained and still maintain this abuse did not occur. These allegations were before the jury and they were sure, as am I, that she gave a reliable account of what happened. She added Shillito was remorseless for his actions and, after deeming him dangerous, ruled he will be prohibited from being alone with children after his release. The defendant had no previous convictions at the time of the jurys verdict - he had a good work record... Simon Taylor QC explained Shillito still contested the guilty verdict, adding: The mitigation Im able to advance will focus on the principle of totality. The defendant had no previous convictions at the time of the jurys verdict - he had a good work record. Supported by his family in court, Shillito shouted Im not guilty mum as he was led to the cells. Shillito was convicted in July of three counts of raping a girl under 13 and sexual assault, with the jury undecided on a further count of sexual assault. He will serve a year on licence following his release, be subjected to notification requirements and a life-long Sexual Harm Prevention Order. "Shillito appears unrepentant about these serious crimes and his repeated denials have further worsened the ordeal his victim has been through..." After sentencing Det Sgt Daniel Hall, of the Kent Police's vulnerability investigation team, said: "This was a very troubling case and I would like to praise the courage of the young victim and her family who have supported the investigation. "Shillito appears unrepentant about these serious crimes and his repeated denials have further worsened the ordeal his victim has been through. "I am pleased our investigation led to these guilty verdicts and the resulting sentence will see this dangerous man jailed for a considerable amount of time. "I urge anyone who is being sexually abused or suspects someone they know is being mistreated to contact police as soon as possible. We will safeguard anyone at risk and work to bring abusers before the courts."

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A perverted clergyman who was allowed to return to the Church after a sexual assault conviction preyed on two more boys 40 years ago and groomed them for his own twisted sexual gratification.

Depraved David Beater, 80, sat stone-faced in the dock at Maidstone Crown Court as details of his abuse on the vulnerable victims, who were left mentally scarred, were recounted.

He was the vicar at St Botolphs and St Marks Church in Northfleet and showed one victim porn at the vicarage.

Now Beater, of Minnis Road, Birchington, has been jailed for four-and-a-half years after admitting five sex abuse charges which took place in the 1980s.

Judge Philip Statman told him: "These were profound and grave breaches of trust which cause a sense of public outrage when they are revealed.

"One of your victims is now suffering from PTSD... but he has had the bravery to come forward and has now been vindicated.

"Sexual offending leaves the greatest of scars upon its victims."

He praised both victims for their "guts" in coming forward.

Beater was convicted in 1985 of sexually abusing a teenager and later resigned after being fined 250 for the assault, a result described by a barrister as "remarkably lenient".

Astonishingly, he was later allowed back into the Church of England and continued as a clergyman until he retired in 2005.

The judge said: "It is not for me to pass judgment in that regard."

Prosecutor Sophie Shotton told how the latest offences came to light after an attack in prison involving one of the victims.

It triggered horrifying memories from his childhood when the victim's mother had taken him to see Beater because of his musical abilities.

'I considered how different my life might have been had I not been abused by David Beater...'

Under the guise of encouraging him to join the church choir, the pervert - who had "an aura or warmth" - began his abuse almost immediately.

Ms Shotton told how one sex attack resulted in the terrified child being left in physical pain as Beater assured him: "Everything will be alright."

But the victim never returned to the church and later told police he believed the pervert priest was "testing the waters" and each time they met there was more abuse.

In his statement to police he revealed the attack in prison brought back memories of Beater's attack.

"I considered how different my life might have been had I not been abused by David Beater. I felt angry. I buried the abuse and told myself that worse things happened to others.

"On reflection what he did to me has affected me throughout my life... and I even attempted to take my own life at the location where this happened."

He said that he had also lost his faith because of what he endured and has "never felt good enough".

The victim also revealed he was never able to tell his mother what the clergyman - who she thought was "amazing"- had done before she died.

Ms Shotton said the second victim was also a teenager when the sports-loving vicar encouraged him to play squash and then attacked him in the showers.

Beater ignored the child's protests, telling him he "must be clean" before taking him to the vicarage where he showed him pornography and told him he wished they could sleep together.

One of his victims attended the hearing and the second watched by video link.

Simon Taylor QC, defending, said: "At 80 years-old he is about to embark on a prison sentence for which he richly deserves."

He said the "deprived" activities "cannot be undone and caused harm for the victims."

Mr Taylor added: "He is genuinely remorseful and he has tried to rebuild his life."

The court was given a number of testimonials from his neighbours, who attested to his charity work for disaster relief.

'Many years may have passed from the time of the offending, but that does not in any way undo the harm he has caused...'

He has continued attending church services where everyone has been told of his previous conviction.

After the earlier conviction, he resigned but was "invited back" after a C of E safeguarding inquiry ruled he could rejoin the clergy, although only in parishes where there was a senior clergyman present.

After sentencing, DCI Keith Roberts, from Kent Police, said: Owing to the position Beater occupied, people naturally trusted him and viewed him as a person to turn to for support. He abused this trust in the worst possible way.

"Many years may have passed from the time of the offending, but that does not in any way undo the harm he has caused.

"His offending has impacted each victims life in unimaginable ways and it took exceptional courage for each of them to speak to us about their ordeal.

"I am pleased Beater has now been held to account and I sincerely hope this outcome provides the victims with a sense of justice and closure.

"Anyone affected by similar offending needs to know we have specialist officers across the county who will do everything in their power to support them. Please do not suffer alone, contact us so that we can help you."

The Rt Rev Simon Burton Jones, Bishop of Tonbridge on behalf of the Diocese of Rochester, said: We are deeply saddened and appalled by the Rev David Beaters crimes and will be keeping all those affected by his actions in our prayers.

The victim impact statements read out in court demonstrate the devasting and lifelong impact David Beaters abuse has had on their lives.

We commend the bravery of those who brought these allegations forward and acknowledge how difficult this would have been.We apologise unreservedly to them for what has happened and for what they have experienced.

The facts of this case raise concerning questions about decisions and actions taken by the Church in relation to Davids ministry. Because of this, the matter has now been referred to the National Safeguarding Team in accordance with the House of Bishops guidelines.

Mr Beater is retired and has not been in active ministry for more than 10 years.

As a diocese, we take the safety and wellbeing of children and young people very seriously and have robust safeguarding procedures in place.

Anyone with any concerns relating to this case, or any other safeguarding is encouraged to get in touch directly with one of our safeguarding advisers who will offer confidential support and advice - or to speak with someone else they trust."

An NSPCC spokesman said: Beater horrifically betrayed the trust that was placed in him by his community by repeatedly abusing two young boys.

This case shows that no matter how long ago or who it was, child abusers like Beater can be brought to justice."

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A paedophile who paid women in the Philippines to make videos of child abuse that he directed has been jailed.

Mark Terry, 55, previously of Maidstone Road, Ashford, admitted using an online payment website to send women cash in exchange for videos of them sexually abusing girls.

An investigation by the Paedophile Online Investigation Team revealed that Terry frequently paid between 15 and 25 for videos lasting between two and three minutes, sent live via a messaging app.

Acting on information received in February 2018 police searched his house and his computer was seized.

A forensic examination of the machine resulted in around 7,000 indecent images of children being located on the hard drive.

Terry was charged in March 2020 and appeared before Canterbury Crown Court on Friday 8 August 2021, where he admitted 15 counts of encouraging or assisting the commission of a child sex offence and four counts of possessing indecent images of children.

He was sentenced to nine years in prison and will be the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order for life.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Lee Sparks of the Paedophile Online Investigation Team said: "This case is a disturbing example which highlights how easily children can be harmed online by strangers.

"Terry has been the cause of the most horrific abuse of young girls and despite not being physically present at the time of the assaults, he is responsible for them.

"It is saddening that we may never be able to safeguard these young victims and the case serves as a reminder that we must do everything in our power to protect the vulnerable, wherever they may be.

"This was a lengthy and complex investigation and it took considerable time to fully ascertain the extent of Terrys offending. The judge recognised the severity of Terrys crimes, issuing him a lengthy custodial sentence," he added.

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A man used his love of Japanese cartoons to groom a 12-year-old girl before claiming to be a "hero" exposing paedophiles.

Fantasist Adam Eltabib - who appeared in a crown court dock sporting bright pink and green hair - had met the schoolgirl at a convention for fans of anime, cosplay and comics in London in 2018.

Her mother began to notice a number of texts the child was receiving from the 30-year-old, who was later found with 3,000 indecent images on his computer.

Eltabib, of Eden Avenue, Chatham, has now been sent to prison for a year after admitting having sexual conversations with a child and two charges of making prohibited images.

Maidstone Crown Court heard how Eltabib is a fantasist who said he was a "hero" who was downloading vile pictures to bring down those who took them.

But Judge Philip Statman rejected as "fanciful" the claim that he was "a citizen trying to bring others to justice".

He said: "The nature of your conversations has, as a background, conventions held around the country by supporters of anime and cosplay, which allow people to go dressed as their favourite Japanese (cartoon) characters."

Prosecutor Kathryn Hirst said: "The victim attended an event in London dressed as her favourite anime character.

"After returning home she showed her mum pictures of her posing with people also dressed as anime characters and it appeared that she had had a really good time."

Afterwards the victim's mother became aware of "inappropriate messages" which had been sent to her daughter from a man called Adam.

She asked to see a photograph and realised Adam was an adult and explained to her daughter that the WhatsApp messages were not appropriate.

Ms Hirst told how police began investigating Eltabib for unrelated matters and he was arrested at his work.

She said that when officers carried out a forensic examination of his phone they discovered images and details of chats he was having with the child, including references to sex.

Between February and November 2018 he sent WhatsApp messages saying he wanted to have sex with her when she was 16.

During a sentencing hearing that was interrupted by a suspected gas leak, the judge heard that the effect on his victim had been "deeply upsetting" and her health suffered because of it.

"A young girl was being asked in these texts to confront adult issues and you took advantage of her expressing your sexual desires," he added.

Eltabib had used the name of an anime character known to stalk and spy on women.

On his Facebook he wrote: "Live in Medway. I (love) cosplay and have a long list of comic cons this year. Wish I could do more. Love anime. Gaming. The usual."

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A convicted rapist - who began a secret affair with the mother of a young child has avoided a prison sentence - despite his fourth breach of a court order.

Wayne Adams, 52, had tried to strangle a 19-year-old stranger, who he attacked as she was walking home in Rainham in 1996.

But a "clerical error" meant he wasn't arrested for eight years. He was eventually given a 12-year jail term after admitting the offences.

The judge at the time said the attack was "inhumane and wicked".

Now Adams, of Boundary Road, Chatham has avoided returning to prison despite admitting two charges of breaching rules designed to allow police to monitor where he lives.

Maidstone Crown Court heard how in November 2020 he had begun a romantic relationship with a mother of a young child living on the Isle of Wight.

The court order restricted how many nights he could spend away from his Kent home without authorities being alerted.

The mother later told officers that Adams had stayed with her "for at least 15 nights".

Prosecutor John Livingston said: "She also revealed she has a very young child, living in the same house... although Adams was never left unsupervised with the child."

He said that when Adams house was searched, officers discovered a ferry ticket to the Isle and a receipt.

"He was in breach of requirements to notify police of any address where he stayed for seven consecutive days in a 12-month period, " he added.

Officers also found a credit card which Adams had but kept kept secret from police.

Adams told police he hadn't alerted them to his trips to the Isle of Wight because he had kept his romance a secret and he had "forgotten" about the credit card.

"You have escaped an immediate jail sentence by the skin of your teeth... it won't happen again..."

The court heard it was his fourth breach of the regulations, following infringements in 2013 and 2018.

Defence barrister Thaiza Khan said he is no longer in a relationship and is working full-time for an event hiring company and earning 22,000 after tax.

"The stress which came with this case ended the relationship, " she added.

The Judge, Recorder Alistair Webster QC, told him he had breached the notification requirements imposed after the "extremely serious rape of a stranger and strangulation" in 2005.

He added: "These court requirements are imposed for good reasons to protect members of the public from someone who, in the past, showed himself to be a danger.

"You took a quite deliberate decision to lie about the relationship on the Isle of Wight.

"You have escaped an immediate jail sentence by the skin of your teeth... it won't happen again."

He received a four-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, was fined 850 and ordered to pay 500 court costs

Adams wasn't arrested for the earlier rape and attack despite giving a DNA sample which matched police evidence.

Speaking after the earlier hearing, Det Insp David Withers said Adams had finally been caught by a review of DNA evidence from unresolved crimes.

He said Adams had been arrested for a public order offence in 1996 and had a forensic sample taken, but the match was not spotted at the time due to a "clerical error".

"They realised that a 1996 sample taken from the victim had been transcribed incorrectly into the national database.

"It appears to be a typing mistake," he added.

Adams remains on the Sex Offender's Register.

Description

A Biggin Hill paedophile who planned to sexually abuse a 10-year-old girl after contacting a woman posing as her mother has been jailed. Maurice Clayton, of Oaklands Lane, was arrested in the car park of a supermarket last year, having travelled 30 miles to meet a woman he believed would allow him access to her daughter. Clayton, aged 60, initially contacted a user on a pornographic website during September 2020, believing her to be the mother of a 10-year-old girl. He continued to have conversations with the woman on a separate social media site, where he made repeated comments about his intentions to commit serious sexual offences against the child. He also shared several indecent images. On October 27, Clayton travelled from his home to a car park in Knight Road, Strood. He planned to meet the mother of the child at the car park and then move onto an address to commit the abuse. Unbeknown to him, the mother and child did not exist. Instead, Clayton was met at the car park by Kent Police officers and arrested. He was charged and later appeared at Maidstone Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to attempting to arrange the commission of a child sex offence. Clayton also admitted two counts of distributing indecent images of a child and a further count of possessing indecent images. On Wednesday June 16, Clayton was sentenced to two years imprisonment. He was also made subject of a sexual harm prevention order. Detective Constable Darran Bassett, of the Paedophile Online Investigation Team, said: There can be no doubt that Clayton poses a real danger to children. He has displayed a clear desire and determination to sexually abuse a child in the most abhorrent ways and the graphic detail he included in his online messages was hugely concerning. Protecting children from sexual abuse and harm is a priority for Kent Police and as this case shows we will continue to do everything in our power to identify and take robust action against people like Clayton.