KEVIN WARD BECLES AND GREAT YARMOUTH SEX OFFENDER CAUGHT WITH CHILD INDECENT MATERIAL AND GROOMING PLOTS

In July 2021, authorities uncovered disturbing evidence against Kevin Ward, a man with a troubling history of sexual offenses, during an unannounced inspection at his residence in Beccles. Ward, aged 54 and known to have learning disabilities, was found in possession of multiple indecent videos involving children, raising serious concerns about his ongoing risk to the community.

The investigation was initiated after Ward’s previous conviction in 2018, which saw him sentenced to 18 months in prison for attempting to communicate with a fabricated child in a vigilante-style sting operation. Following his release, Ward was subjected to a sexual harm prevention order, which mandated ongoing monitoring of his activities. On June 10 of the previous year, at around 9 a.m., a public protection officer conducted an unannounced visit to Ward’s home on Darby Road, Beccles.

During the visit, the officer examined a Galaxy tablet belonging to Ward and discovered an indecent video depicting a girl estimated to be between three and five years old performing a sexual act. The device was promptly seized for further analysis. The forensic examination revealed a disturbing collection of content: four videos classified as the most serious Level A indecent material involving children, eight videos categorized as Level B, and three images in the lowest Level C category. These findings confirmed Ward’s possession of child exploitation material, leading to serious legal consequences.

Kevin Ward subsequently admitted to three charges related to possessing indecent images and videos of children. His plea resulted in a sentence of 13 months in prison, which was suspended for two years. Additionally, he was ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid community work. As part of his rehabilitation, Ward was also mandated to participate in a 38-day program titled “New Me Strengths” and a 45-day activity requirement aimed at addressing his behavior.

Earlier incidents involving Ward’s predatory behavior include a 2018 case in Great Yarmouth, where he was caught by vigilante groups known as Internet Interceptors. At that time, Ward, then 51 and residing on Deanside, was apprehended at the local library after attempting to groom young girls online. He pleaded guilty to six counts of online grooming and was sentenced to 18 months in prison. The court also placed him on the sex offenders register for a decade.

During the 2018 incident, Ward had traveled to the library with the apparent intention of meeting a child. Vigilante members intercepted him and handed him over to police authorities. The charges included five counts of attempting to incite sexual activity with girls aged 13 to 15, and one count of engaging a child in sexual communication.

In a separate 2018 case, Ward, then 50 and with no fixed address, was caught by Internet Interceptors at Great Yarmouth library. He had previously pleaded guilty to four counts of online grooming but the sentencing was delayed due to additional cases surfacing. During the subsequent hearing at Norwich Crown Court, Ward admitted to two grooming charges, with the court setting a one-month deadline for sentencing. The judge emphasized that Ward would be sentenced regardless of the psychiatric report’s outcome, underscoring the severity of his offenses and the ongoing threat he posed to children in the community.