KENNETH MOCKFORD FROM LARKFIELD AND WEST MALLING JAILED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES AFTER DECADES OF EVIL CRIMES

Kenneth Mockford, a man with a long and troubling history of violent and sexual offenses, has been sentenced to six years in prison for heinous crimes committed over 30 years ago. The conviction comes after a detailed investigation and a court process that revealed the extent of his disturbing actions against a young girl.

Mockford, who previously resided on Kingfisher Road in Larkfield, was accused of forcing a five-year-old girl to perform sexual acts on him. The court heard that he manipulated the child by telling her they were playing a game of 'cowboys and cowgirls,' a story he repeated to justify his actions. Prosecutor Piers Reed described how Mockford told the girl that such acts were routine for cowgirls, instructing her not to tell her parents or anyone else about what was happening.

The court was informed that Mockford, known as Ray, had a notorious past, including a conviction in 1988 for manslaughter and the illegal shortening of a shotgun barrel. He had also received a suspended sentence in July of the previous year for possessing a firearm without a certificate. Despite his criminal history, he had managed to evade prosecution for child sexual abuse until now.

During the trial, Mockford denied all allegations, maintaining his innocence when questioned in court. However, the jury found him guilty of six charges of indecency with a child, based on overwhelming evidence presented by the prosecution. The court heard that Mockford had told the young girl that she was making a film with a starring role, and she believed his fabricated stories.

Judge Martin Joy, presiding over the case at Maidstone Crown Court, sentenced Mockford to the maximum allowable under the law at the time of the offenses—six years. The judge expressed concern that under current legislation, the sentence could have been significantly longer, potentially between 11 and 17 years. He remarked that the legal gap might result in a serious under-sentencing for such grave crimes.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Joy described Mockford as a 'highly manipulative rapist' and emphasized the severity of the offenses, which involved exploiting a vulnerable young child. He stated, 'I am restrained by the law, but I cannot think of a worse case involving a five-year-old.' The judge also ordered that Mockford's name be added to the sex offenders' register for a period of ten years.

Mockford's criminal record is marked by a history of violent and sexual crimes, including his previous manslaughter conviction and recent firearm-related offenses. His actions have caused lasting trauma to the victim, who is now in her mid-30s, and the case has raised questions about the justice system's handling of such offenders in the past. The court acknowledged the significant delay in bringing Mockford to justice and highlighted the importance of ensuring that offenders like him are held accountable, regardless of the passage of time.