MINSTER PAEDOPHILE GARY ROCKFORD SENTENCED TO 24.5 YEARS FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES AND GROOMING

In March 2019, a man named Gary Rockford from Minster was handed a severe prison sentence after being convicted of multiple heinous crimes related to child sexual abuse and online grooming. The court sentenced him to a total of 24 and a half years behind bars, with a mandatory minimum of 10 years before he can be considered for parole. This case drew significant attention due to the disturbing nature of his offenses and the fact that he had a prior conviction for similar crimes.

Rockford, aged 35 at the time, was apprehended following an investigation by the paedophile hunting team known as 'Shadow Hunters UK.' The team had been monitoring his online activities after he initiated contact with what he believed were young girls. Using various online profiles, Rockford engaged in highly sexualized conversations, attempting to arrange meetings with these supposed minors. Unbeknownst to him, the profiles he contacted were actually members of the 'Shadow Hunters UK' team, who had set up fake profiles to catch predators.

During the investigation, it was revealed that Rockford had sent explicit messages and had made arrangements to meet the girls, who, in reality, did not exist. These interactions were part of a sting operation designed to expose and apprehend individuals involved in child exploitation.

In addition to the grooming charges, Rockford faced multiple counts related to the possession of illegal child sexual abuse material. He was found guilty of possessing Category A, B, and C videos and images. Specifically, he received six months imprisonment for each of the three Category A charges, six months for each of the three Category B charges, and two months for each of the three Category C charges. These sentences were to run concurrently, but they contributed to the overall sentence length.

The court also ordered that Rockford serve a minimum of ten years in prison before being eligible for parole. Furthermore, he was mandated to remain on the sex offenders register for life, and a lifelong sexual harm prevention order was imposed to restrict his future activities and protect the public.

This case was not Rockford’s first encounter with the law. In 2013, he was sentenced to ten years after being convicted of sexually abusing an eight-year-old girl. During that incident, he broadcast the abuse over the internet in exchange for money. The victim later disclosed that Rockford had molested her multiple times, setting up a webcam to record the acts and even allowing others to watch. She described how he stripped her naked, removed her lower clothing, sat her on his lap, and made her simulate a sexual act for the webcam. He also touched her and performed a sexual act on himself while others watched. Before molesting her, he typed the words “watch this now,” indicating his intent to broadcast the abuse.

Shockingly, one of the individuals who received the illicit footage on a mobile phone was a gangland killer serving a life sentence in prison, highlighting the disturbing reach of Rockford’s actions.

Further investigations revealed that Rockford had also sent indecent images of children to a prisoner serving a life sentence in Staffordshire. This was uncovered when prison officers seized a mobile phone from the inmate, which contained images sent by Rockford. The police also found that Rockford had abused an eight-year-old girl, with the abuse being broadcast online in exchange for money.

He was arrested at his home on the Isle of Sheppey and subsequently charged with multiple offenses, including possession and distribution of indecent images, sexual assault of a child, and causing a child to engage in sexual activity. At Maidstone Crown Court, Rockford pleaded guilty to all charges and was sentenced to ten years in prison. Judge Carey described the case as a sordid and grossly criminal act, emphasizing the depravity involved, especially noting the webcam abuse as the most serious offense.

This case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat online child exploitation and the severe consequences faced by those who engage in such heinous crimes.