A man has received a 14-year sentence after being convicted of multiple sexual offences against two boys, following his appearance at Kingston Crown Court.

Julius Anthony Edwards, previously residing on Queens Road, Farnborough, was found guilty of crimes committed between March and April 2020. The victims were aged 13 and 14 during the incidents.

He was convicted on 18 counts, which included three charges of sexual activity with a minor under 16, nine counts of engaging in penetrative sexual acts with a minor under 16, one count of sexual assault by penetration, three counts of attempting to commit penetrative sexual activity with a minor under 16, and two counts of failing to comply with a notice to provide a key.

Earlier, Edwards pleaded guilty to one count of attempted sexual communication with a child, bringing the total number of offenses to 19. He received an indefinite Sexual Harm Protection Order, will be registered as a sex offender for life, and is prohibited from working with children.

Detective Constable Mike Stanley of the Metropolitan Police described Edwards as a sexual predator with a dangerous fascination for young boys, who manipulated victims and then lied to conceal his actions.

His offending was uncovered during an investigation into another matter involving one of the victims, where concerns arose that Edwards might be grooming him.

A subsequent interview confirmed that the victim had contact and online sexual offences committed by Edwards. During the interview, the victim also revealed that Edwards had boasted about his relationships with other underage boys.

Further inquiries led to the identification of a second victim, who also reported having been sexually abused by Edwards.

The police paid tribute to the victims for coming forward and reliving their trauma in court. Detectives hope that Edwards being incarcerated will help them find some measure of closure, despite the profound impact on their lives.

Additionally, during the investigation, police contacted the officer handling the case to inform him that Edwards had been linked to an online investigation involving a covert officer posing as a 13-year-old boy.

At the time of his arrest, Edwards was working as a teacher at Dove House School in Basingstoke, though neither victim attended that school.

Detective Constable Mike Stanley emphasized that the sentencing reflects the police’s dedication to thorough investigations and justice, highlighting the efforts of teams including the Guildford Safeguarding Investigation Unit and the Digital Forensics Team in ensuring that Edwards is now imprisoned for his crimes.