KEVIN FORD FROM ROCHESTER SENTENCED FOR ONLINE CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN KENT

In a case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Rochester, Kent, Kevin Ford, aged 26, has been convicted and sentenced to six years in prison for his involvement in online child sexual exploitation. The charges stem from a disturbing scheme in which Ford created a fictitious online persona, pretending to be a woman named 'Sarah Sawyer,' with the intent of luring young boys into engaging in sexual activities via webcam.

Authorities became aware of Ford’s activities after concerned parents noticed suspicious online behavior. It was observed that 'Sarah Sawyer' was exclusively connected with young male users, raising suspicions about her true identity. One parent discovered an email in which 'Sawyer' explicitly asked their son to perform sexual acts over the internet, prompting a police investigation.

Following these reports, officers from Kent Police’s paedophile and online investigation team launched a thorough inquiry. They identified Kevin Ford as the prime suspect after analyzing digital evidence, including text messages sent from his mobile phone to the victims, and examining a computer used by Ford while he was on holiday in Turkey. The investigation revealed that Ford had communicated with a total of 52 male victims, aged between 12 and 17 years old. Of these, 21 victims were willing to cooperate and provided evidence that contributed to the case.

Ford was formally charged with 12 counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. His actions not only involved online communication but also included attempts to persuade minors to perform sexual acts on webcam. The court proceedings culminated in a conviction at Maidstone Crown Court on October 2, 2014.

Det Sgt David Shipley, who was involved in the investigation, expressed his frustration over Ford’s continued denial of responsibility despite overwhelming evidence. He emphasized that Ford’s refusal to accept accountability has left many victims and their families in a state of uncertainty, awaiting justice. Sgt Shipley highlighted the seriousness of online child sexual exploitation, noting that it can be as damaging as offline abuse and often has long-lasting effects on victims.

As part of his sentencing, Ford was ordered to register as a sex offender and is now prohibited from working with children. His sentencing is scheduled for November 6, 2014. The case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers lurking online and the importance of vigilance among parents and authorities alike in protecting vulnerable children from exploitation.