PETER JENKINS DOVER PAEDOPHILE CAUGHT GROOMING ON FACEBOOK

In a recent case that has raised serious concerns about online safety and the protection of minors, police authorities in South Kent issued a stark warning to parents and guardians across the region. The warning comes in the wake of the conviction and sentencing of Peter Jenkins, a 31-year-old man from Westbury Road, Dover, who was found guilty of grooming a 14-year-old boy through social media.

On November 2, at Canterbury Crown Court, Jenkins was sentenced to a prison term of two and a half years after he admitted to engaging in sexual grooming activities. The investigation into Jenkins' actions began in April when police arrested him following a detailed inquiry into his online conduct. It was revealed that Jenkins had used a false identity to send a friend request to the young boy on Facebook, a popular social networking platform.

The young victim grew suspicious of Jenkins' intentions and promptly reported his concerns to the authorities. This prompted a police raid at Jenkins' residence, where officers seized evidence and subsequently charged him with the offence. Jenkins was remanded in custody pending his trial.

In addition to his prison sentence, Jenkins was subjected to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) that will remain in effect until November 2, 2020. This legal restriction prohibits Jenkins from working with children and prevents him from denying police checks. Under the terms of the order, Jenkins is disqualified from having unsupervised contact with any child under the age of 16, and he is forbidden from taking photographs or filming children under 16 unless they are his own children. Furthermore, he is barred from using social media platforms such as Facebook, Bebo, Twitter, or any other similar sites. Violating this order could result in a prison sentence of up to five years.

PC Craig Ransley, who led the investigation, emphasized the importance of vigilance among parents and children. He stated, “Kent Police is committed to and will always seek to prosecute anybody who sexually offends against children. This case underscores the need for parents and children to be aware of who they are in contact with online and to only accept friend requests and communicate with people they know in person and can trust.”

The case serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers lurking on social media platforms and the importance of safeguarding young people from online predators, especially in communities like Dover where such incidents have now come to light.