KEITH BANKS FROM RAYLEIGH SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES AFTER AUSTRALIAN DEPORTATION

In a case that highlights the ongoing threat posed by convicted sex offenders, Keith Banks, a resident of Rayleigh, was brought to justice following his attempt to commit further crimes against children. Banks, who was in an Australian detention centre awaiting deportation back to the United Kingdom, was identified as a significant danger to minors due to his prior offending history.

In September of the previous year, Banks was detained in Australia after serving time for child sex offences. While still in custody, he attempted to arrange a sexual assault on a ten-year-old girl, demonstrating his continued predatory intentions. His plans were thwarted when authorities in the UK, specifically officers from the Police Online Investigation Team (POLIT), located him at the Rayleigh address where he was arrested.

Investigating officer PC Adam Colbear from POLIT emphasized the severity of Banks' actions and intentions. He stated, “It is clear Keith Banks intended to commit further child sexual offences in the UK even before he was deported from Australia. He used email while in a detention centre to speak to people intent on causing harm to children.”

PC Colbear further described Banks as a “dangerous offender who clearly poses very real risk to children,” underscoring the importance of the police operation that led to his arrest. He expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts of multiple agencies involved in securing the conviction and subsequent sentencing, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in tackling such crimes. “It’s excellent partnership working like this which means no sexual predator can feel impervious to law enforcement, even if they’re in a different country,” he added.

Following his arrest, Banks faced charges of attempting to arrange or facilitate a child sex offence and breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO). He admitted to these charges at Basildon Crown Court on December 3. On Wednesday, July 15, Banks appeared virtually before the same court and was sentenced to six years in prison, with an additional eight years on extended licence, reflecting the seriousness of his offences and the ongoing risk he poses to the community.