SITTINGBOURNE MAN DARREN JEFFRIES SENTENCED TO 33 YEARS FOR SICKENING SEX OFFENCES AGAINST YOUNG GIRLS IN KENT AND SURREY

In a harrowing case that has shocked the local community and beyond, Darren Jeffries, a 48-year-old man from Sittingbourne, Kent, has been handed a severe prison sentence of 33 years for a series of heinous sexual offences committed against young girls. The sentencing was carried out at Guildford Crown Court, following a lengthy investigation and multiple convictions that spanned over a decade.

Jeffries was found guilty in January of nine charges related to his disturbing crimes, which included rape, grooming, abduction, and causing sexual activity with minors. These charges were the culmination of a trial held in October, where he was convicted of an additional 11 similar offences. The offences for which he was convicted encompass a range of sexual misconduct, including gross indecency with children and the exploitation of girls under the age of 13.

The majority of these offences took place within the Sittingbourne area of Kent, but the scope of his crimes extended across multiple counties, including Surrey. Surrey Police confirmed that all nine of the most recent offences occurred in the Sittingbourne region, highlighting the local impact of his predatory behaviour. The Crown Prosecution Service announced that, in addition to his prison term, Jeffries will serve an extended period of six years on licence, ensuring ongoing supervision after his release.

Jeffries' crimes were particularly disturbing due to the methods he employed to exploit his victims. He frequently took young girls to motels, where he engaged in sexual activities that he recorded on his mobile phone. His actions revealed a pattern of predatory behaviour aimed at vulnerable children, often targeting those he encountered online or through grooming tactics.

The police investigation was triggered when authorities were alerted to Jeffries' inappropriate meetings and grooming of a 14-year-old girl in the Surrey Heath area. Following his arrest, law enforcement officers seized multiple mobile phones from Jeffries, which contained approximately 1,000 indecent images and videos, including extreme material involving young children and acts of bestiality, Surrey Police reported.

Chief Crown Prosecutor Jaswant Narwal described Jeffries as a “sexual predator who abused and exploited his victims, fully aware that they were under age.” He emphasized that Jeffries had targeted vulnerable children prolifically, exploiting their trust and innocence. Narwal stated, “Jeffries is a danger to society and now he has been brought to justice he will no longer pose a threat.”

Following the verdicts, Detective Chief Inspector Juliet Parker of Surrey Police’s Public Protection Unit condemned Jeffries’ actions as “sickening,” highlighting his complete lack of moral boundaries. She explained that Jeffries actively sought out young girls on the internet to groom, demonstrating a calculated and predatory approach to his crimes.

Jeffries’ criminal history is extensive. In January 2014, he was convicted of over 80 offences against nine victims aged between two and 17, spanning multiple counties over a period of 13 years. His offences included rape, abduction, and gross indecency, with some victims as young as five years old. The police investigation uncovered seven mobile phones containing around 1,000 indecent images and videos, some depicting extreme acts involving children and animals.

Detective Chief Inspector Juliet Parker reaffirmed the severity of Jeffries’ crimes, stating, “The verdicts reflect the truly sickening nature of Jeffries’ crimes. He had no moral boundaries, abusing whoever he had a predilection towards and actively seeking out young girls on the internet to groom.” She praised the dedicated team of officers who spent nearly a year tracing victims and building the case that ultimately led to his conviction.

Jeffries was remanded in custody and appeared before Guildford Crown Court on February 11, where he was sentenced to 33 years in prison. His case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by sexual predators and the importance of vigilant law enforcement in protecting vulnerable children from exploitation.