REECE CANO FROM SNODLAND SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN KENT

In April 2021, a man from Snodland was sentenced to prison after being found guilty of attempting to groom a child for sexual abuse. Reece Cano, aged 29, was arrested and prosecuted following a series of disturbing online activities aimed at exploiting a minor.

According to court records, Cano engaged in a pattern of malicious online behavior between September 19 and October 11. During this period, he used various dating and instant messaging applications to contact an individual he believed was a 12-year-old girl. The conversations revealed Cano’s intent to manipulate and coerce the minor into engaging in sexual activities, as he repeatedly sought indecent images and made explicit demands.

Despite the minor’s multiple responses affirming her age, Cano persisted in his attempts to lure her into meeting in person. His messages included suggestions of meeting at a hotel and detailed plans to meet at a secluded location within the Snodland area, where he intended to carry out abuse. His communications were marked by explicit language and a clear desire to exploit the minor for sexual purposes.

Unbeknownst to Cano, the individual he was communicating with was actually a police officer operating under cover. The police had been monitoring the online exchanges and, on October 11, executed a search warrant at Cano’s residence. During the search, officers discovered a mobile phone hidden in an airing cupboard, which contained evidence of the conversations and plans to meet the minor.

Following the investigation, Cano was formally charged with multiple serious offences. These included two counts of attempting to cause or incite a child to engage in sexual activity, attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, and arranging or facilitating a child sex offence. Additionally, he faced charges for breaching a sexual harm prevention order that had been imposed in 2019 following previous, unrelated sex offences, as well as failing to comply with notification requirements.

At Maidstone Crown Court, Cano pleaded guilty to all charges. The court recognized the severity of his actions and categorized him as a “dangerous” offender. As a result, he was sentenced to four years in prison, with an extended license period of an additional four years. The court also mandated that Cano serve at least two-thirds of his sentence before being eligible for parole.

Furthermore, Cano was placed under a sexual harm prevention order and was added to the sex offenders register indefinitely, ensuring ongoing monitoring and restrictions. This case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat online grooming and protect vulnerable minors from exploitation in the Kent region.