JACK HICKEY OF SNODLAND SENTENCED FOR PREDATORY ONLINE BEHAVIOR INVOLVING TEENAGE VICTIMS

A man from Snodland, identified as Jack Hickey, aged 28, has been sentenced to nearly five years in prison after engaging in disturbing online activities aimed at minors. Hickey, who resides on Woodlands Avenue in Snodland, was found to have used various internet platforms to target young individuals, attempting to establish inappropriate and sexual communication with them.

In November 2023, Hickey created a profile on Chat Avenue, an online chatroom service known for its anonymity and ease of access. He then actively sought out users he believed to be teenagers, specifically targeting a young male user. After establishing contact, Hickey persuaded his victim to switch communication to Snapchat, a messaging app that offers privacy features such as disappearing messages, which Hickey exploited to conceal his activities.

Once on Snapchat, Hickey began sending explicit images and messages, including a sexually explicit photo of himself. Digital forensic analysts were able to trace the digital footprint back to Hickey by matching details from a photograph he sent, which showed wallpaper and missing coving in his bedroom, to his residence on Woodlands Avenue. Law enforcement officers responded swiftly, arresting Hickey at his home on November 30. Following his arrest, Hickey was placed under a sex offenders notification requirement, a legal measure designed to monitor and restrict his activities while awaiting sentencing.

Despite the legal restrictions, Hickey continued his predatory behavior. The following year, he created a new Snapchat account, again targeting what he believed to be another teenage boy. He persistently sent lewd messages, urging the young person to participate in video calls and to send explicit photographs, this time requesting the victim to wear a school uniform during the exchanges. His actions culminated in an attempt to meet the young victim in Canterbury after dark, an effort that was thwarted when police officers intercepted him and took him into custody once more.

Hickey faced multiple charges, including attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, causing a child to view an indecent image, producing indecent photographs, arranging a child sex offence, attempting to meet a child, and breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order. He pleaded guilty to all charges during his court appearance at Maidstone Crown Court on February 19. The court sentenced him to four years and ten months in prison for his crimes.

Detective Constable Steph Kirkin, who led the investigation, commented on Hickey’s actions, stating, “Hickey is a predator who targeted victims he believed to be young and vulnerable. He repeatedly sent his victims a barrage of lewd messages in a bid to coerce them into sharing content for his own gratification. Despite being captured and registered as a sex offender, Hickey shamelessly continued his abhorrent behaviour, resulting in a swift remand and custodial sentence.”