Locations
Palmerston Road, Chatham, Medway, ME4
Description
A Chatham child rapist has been jailed for more than 16 years.
Kent Police launched an investigation in July 2022, following a report regarding Jason Hartley committing multiple rapes and assaults against a child between 2001 and 2007.
A second young victim also reported the 55 year old had exposed himself to them on at least two occasions.
The Palmerston Road resident was later arrested and charged with 15 sexual offences.
Court
Hartley admitted multiple offences at Maidstone Crown Court on 23 March 2026 including counts of rape, raping a child under 13 and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. A further five charges will lie on file.
At the same court on Friday 10 April, he was sentenced to 16 and a half years in prison with a further year on licence. An indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) has also been issued and he is required to sign onto the sex offenders’ register.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Emma Davies said:
‘Hartley’s predatorial behaviour has resulted in significant harm for his young victims, and this sentence and SHPO will ensure he cannot harm anyone else.‘I commend the bravery of his victim for coming forward and reliving their experiences in order to secure this outcome. We are satisfied that Hartley is facing the consequences of his offending.’