RICHARD CUMBERLAND FROM FAVERSHAM AND POWYS SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES

In July 2020, a man from Faversham, identified as Richard Cumberland, was sentenced to nearly a decade in prison after being convicted of a series of heinous child sex offences. Cumberland, a former Scout leader, was found to have engaged in a disturbing pattern of criminal behavior that included planning to sexually assault a young child and distributing indecent images of minors.

At the time of his arrest, Cumberland was residing in Powys, Wales, having previously lived on Preston Street in Faversham. His criminal activities spanned several years, during which he admitted to committing 15 separate offences. These included conspiring to meet a child for sexual purposes in 2017, as well as sharing and distributing indecent images of children. Additionally, Cumberland breached a Sexual Harm Prevention Order by attempting to contact an individual he believed to be a child—only to be met with an undercover police officer instead.

The court heard that Cumberland's online communications contained graphic chat logs in which he detailed plans to give children alcohol and drugs, even suggesting to a child's father what medications could be purchased from Boots. Judge Julian Smith, presiding over the case at Maidstone Crown Court, described Cumberland’s intentions as “very graphic and vile,” emphasizing that these were not idle or fantasized conversations but involved actual planning involving real children. The judge highlighted the disturbing nature of the chat logs, which revealed Cumberland’s expressed desire and expectation to abuse young girls with the father’s consent, and his rejoicing at the prospect of their victimization.

During the proceedings, the court was shown evidence of Cumberland’s involvement in planning the abuse, including images and messages that demonstrated his involvement in a conspiracy to harm children. The judge condemned his actions, stating, “Your intentions were very graphic and vile. This was not idle chat, it was not spontaneous or mere fantastical discussions. These girls were real and you were involved in planning their rape with their father.”

It was also revealed that Cumberland had a prior conviction from several years earlier, when he was jailed for a year after admitting to causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and possessing indecent photographs of children. In September 2011, police uncovered that Cumberland had contacted an 11-year-old girl via a chatroom, requesting explicit images from her. Authorities responded swiftly, executing a search warrant at his home after being alerted by West Mercia officers, where they discovered nearly 300 images of child sexual abuse, some at the highest levels of severity.

During his initial confession, Cumberland admitted, “I put my hands up to that. I am sorry, it’s child pornography,” and expressed remorse to his father, saying, “I have been a bad boy dad. I am so sorry.”

Further legal proceedings in March 2013 saw Cumberland, then 24 years old, plead guilty to inciting a child to engage in sexual activity and possessing indecent images of children. He was sentenced to 12 months in prison, with the sentences for the different offences running concurrently. The investigation was initiated after West Mercia Police traced indecent images sent to an 11-year-old girl in October 2011, which led to the discovery of Cumberland’s online chats with the girl, encouraging her to send similar images of herself.

Forensic analysis of Cumberland’s computer revealed a trove of nearly 300 child abuse images, some at the most severe levels of harm. The court heard that Cumberland’s conversations with the girl and other offenders included discussions about finding young boys, raping children, and exchanging indecent images. During the sentencing, Cumberland was visibly emotional, sobbing as he was led away, saying, “I’m sorry mum and dad. I love you.” His father responded, “I do too, son. I don’t think it’s your fault, it’s society’s fault.”

Detective Constable Jon Baker, from the child exploitation and investigation team, commented on the case, stating, “Cumberland knew that he was talking to young children, and acknowledged this during his conversations with them. He also communicated with other offenders about child abuse. This demonstrates that Cumberland lacked understanding or caring about the very real harm that victims of such abuse suffer. I’d like to thank the victim who reported Cumberland for doing so, and believe that this has helped to prevent more children from becoming victims.”