JASON KENNETT SHAMES HAWARDEN AND FLINTSHIRE WITH CHILD SEX OFFENSES AND DISTRIBUTION OF ILLEGAL IMAGES

In September 2023, a disturbing case emerged involving Jason Kennett, a former vicar from Hawarden, Flintshire, who has been convicted of multiple serious offenses related to child exploitation and the distribution of indecent images. The case has garnered significant attention due to the nature of his crimes, his prior convictions, and his connections to the local community.

Kennett, who resides on Brunswood Green in Hawarden, was found to have engaged in a series of illegal activities involving the possession, sharing, and distribution of vile images depicting children. His online activities included sharing these images via a Twitter (X) account, which was linked to him and came under police scrutiny after authorities received reports in May of the previous year. The North Wales Police investigation revealed that the account was used to upload and disseminate illegal images, some of the most serious category of child abuse material, through various social media platforms, including Telegram.

During the investigation, it was uncovered that Kennett had a troubling online conversation history. Prosecutor Richard Edwards detailed that the ex-vicar had asked a young boy if he “had school the next day,” and engaged in sexually explicit discussions with a 14-year-old boy about his sexual orientation and relationship status. Further online chats appeared to involve boys as young as 13, with evidence suggesting attempts to initiate sexual contact.

Kennett-Orpwood admitted to police that he was sexually interested in boys over the age of 12, acknowledging the moral and legal wrongness of his desires. The court was informed that he was already a convicted sex offender, having received a community order in November 2015 for sharing child abuse images. Additionally, in 2000, he was cautioned for making indecent images, indicating a long-standing pattern of offending behavior.

Judge Timothy Petts addressed the court, emphasizing the gravity of the offenses. He stated, “The phrase ‘indecent images’ can often be used without really thinking what that means. These are illegal images of child abuse, and those like you who possess, share, and distribute such images are part of a cycle that perpetuates the abuse of children.” The judge further highlighted Kennett’s involvement in a paedophile discussion group on social media, making it clear that he had a “long-standing interest in this sort of activity.”

Despite his previous conviction, Kennett-Orpwood’s continued engagement in such criminal behavior demonstrated a blatant disregard for the law. The court found it necessary to impose a custodial sentence, with Judge Petts stating, “It has to be an immediate prison sentence.”

Kennett-Orpwood pleaded guilty to ten charges, including attempted sexual communication with children, attempted incitement of sexual activity, and child pornography offenses, which involved the distribution of illegal images. As part of his sentence, he is required to register as a sex offender for life, and a sexual harm prevention order has been issued for 15 years.

In a related case from November 2015, Kennett-Orpwood, then aged 60, was sentenced after admitting to distributing and possessing some of the most vile child sex images. He was the vicar of Bistre at Buckley until his resignation in 1999. Although he avoided jail time, he was ordered to complete a three-year community order, which includes attending an internet sex offender program. The court noted that he had previously been cautioned for similar offenses in 2000, and that his criminal conduct spanned over four years, involving a high volume of images, including movies, and participation in a sharing group.

Further back, in January 2000, Kennett-Orpwood was placed on the sex offenders’ register following a police caution for possessing indecent images of boys. The police investigation revealed that files were found on his computer after it was taken for repairs, with some images confirmed to involve underage children. He attended Mold police station with his solicitor, admitted guilt, and received the caution, which mandated his registration on the sex offenders’ register.

Throughout these proceedings, the church community and local authorities expressed concern over Kennett’s actions. David Williams, a spokesman for the Church in Wales, confirmed the caution issued to him and noted his resignation from his vicar position. The case underscores the ongoing challenge of addressing sexual misconduct within communities and highlights the importance of vigilant law enforcement and judicial response to such heinous crimes.