ALAN HORLEY FROM HAWKINGE, MAIDSTONE, AND THAMESMEAD SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES AND POSING FOR TOPLESS PHOTOS

In a disturbing case that has shocked communities across Kent, Alan Horley, a man with a long history of sexual offences, was convicted and sentenced for heinous acts involving a 15-year-old girl and multiple other minors. The incidents took place in various locations including Hawkinge, Maidstone, and Thamesmead, highlighting a pattern of predatory behavior that spanned years.

In January 2014, Horley, aged 37 and residing on Brewer Street in Maidstone at the time, was handed a severe sentence after being found guilty of exploiting a young girl for sexual images. The court heard that Horley had lured the 15-year-old girl into his home, where he provided her with chips, cannabis, and £10, persuading her to pose topless for photographs. The judge at Maidstone Crown Court described Horley's actions as taking “evil advantage” of the girl, who was reportedly intoxicated, having been drinking cider that evening.

Judge Michael Carroll imposed a nine-year extended prison sentence, with a minimum of two-thirds to be served behind bars before Horley could be considered for release. The court also ordered a four-year period of supervision upon release. The judge emphasized the danger Horley posed to young women, especially those who might be vulnerable or intoxicated, stating that his behavior was part of a troubling pattern. “You constitute a real and continuing danger to young females, particularly those you come across who are intoxicated,” he said. The court noted that although Horley claimed he did not supply the cannabis nor download or distribute the explicit images, evidence proved otherwise. The prosecution established that Horley paid for the drugs and that the photographs were stored elsewhere, not just for immediate gratification but for ongoing use.

Details of the incident reveal that the girl was one of three teenagers who arrived at Horley's residence late on a September evening in 2012. Horley, who had been released from prison earlier that year after serving a previous seven-year sentence for six offences of sexual activity with a child, had a history of sexual misconduct dating back to 2002. During the evening, Horley expressed interest in taking photographs, which the girls initially refused. However, after spending the night at his house, the 15-year-old girl agreed to pose the following day. The photographs were taken by her friends using one of Horley's three phones, with Horley giving instructions from outside the room. Some images showed her clothed, but she later agreed to take topless photos, which Horley paid her for, initially promising £100 but ultimately giving her only £10, claiming he would send the remaining amount if there was interest, purportedly for modeling purposes.

When the girl later checked her phone, she discovered the images had been deleted. Horley denied emailing or downloading the photos before deleting them, but the court was convinced that he had paid for the drugs and that the images had been stored elsewhere, indicating premeditation and ongoing intent. During cross-examination, Horley admitted to asking the girl to pose topless but insisted that none of the images were semi-naked and that they were deleted within hours. When questioned about his motives, he admitted, “It was for my gratification.”

Defense lawyer Kerry Waitt argued that Horley did not actively seek out the girls but acknowledged that he regretted not using his influence to prevent them from entering his home. The court also heard that Horley was no longer living at Brewer Street when police arrived to arrest him. Since his arrest in December 2012, Horley has been in custody and will remain on the sex offenders' register for life, along with a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO).

Adding to his criminal history, records from December 2002 reveal that Horley, then aged 26 and living in Thamesmead at Nickleby Close, was sentenced to eight years for abusing two young girls. He had pleaded not guilty to 17 charges involving five girls, with offences committed between January 1999 and October 2001 in Hawkinge, Kent. The charges included indecent assault, indecency with a child, and attempted rape. He was convicted of attempting to rape an 11-year-old girl, as well as two counts of indecent assault and one of gross indecency involving an eight-year-old girl. The court found him not guilty of other charges but sentenced him to a lengthy term and ordered him to register as a sex offender for life.

Throughout his criminal history, Horley's actions have demonstrated a disturbing pattern of exploiting vulnerable minors, prompting the court to impose strict sentences and lifelong registration requirements to protect the community from further harm.