PATRICK KEOGH, SOUTHAMPTON PAEDOPHILE, BRANDED DANGEROUS PREDATOR IN SHOCK SENTENCE

In July 2008, a disturbing case unfolded in Southampton involving Patrick Keogh, a man convicted of heinous sexual offenses against a young girl. The court heard that Keogh, aged 39 and a father of seven children, was deemed a significant threat to public safety and was subsequently sentenced to an indefinite period behind bars.

Judge John Boggis QC delivered a stern judgment, describing Keogh as a "dangerous predator" whose actions posed a serious risk to young girls. The judge emphasized the gravity of the crimes, stating that Keogh's conduct was utterly reprehensible and that the psychological harm inflicted on the victim would likely have enduring effects. The court was told that Keogh had threatened to kill the girl if she revealed what had happened, adding a layer of intimidation and fear to the offenses.

Keogh's criminal record includes six counts of rape, indecency with a child, sexual assault, and inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity. These charges stemmed from incidents involving a young girl, with jurors hearing evidence of his predatory behavior. Despite the convictions, Keogh maintained his innocence and contested the verdict, which the judge noted was a breach of trust and a serious breach of moral and legal boundaries.

He was sentenced to a minimum of eight years in prison before he could be considered for parole. In addition to his incarceration, Keogh was placed on the sex offenders' register, a move that underscores the severity of his crimes. He was also prohibited from working with children and was instructed that he must not share a residence with any child under 16 without prior police approval.

Keogh's criminal activities extended beyond sexual offenses. He was also convicted for burglary and for taking a tipper truck without permission. The incident involved him entering a compound on a Millbrook trading estate, where he seized the keys and a bottle of wine from the site office before driving away in the vehicle. He claimed to police that his intention was to travel to London to obtain drugs, but instead, he went to his girlfriend’s home, where he managed to score drugs.

For these additional offenses, Keogh received an 18-month sentence for the theft and vehicle theft, with a four-month suspended sentence activated. All sentences were ordered to run concurrently, meaning he would serve the terms simultaneously.

During mitigation, lawyer Robert Grey highlighted that Keogh had no prior convictions related to sex offenses and pointed out that he had been battling addiction since 1991. Despite this, the court's primary concern was the protection of children and the serious nature of the crimes committed by Keogh in Southampton.