SITTINGBOURNE PAEDOPHILE STEVEN BOORMAN JAILED FOR TARGETING CHILDREN ON FACEBOOK

In March 2022, Steven Boorman, a man from the Sittingbourne area, was sentenced to prison after a disturbing series of online predatory behaviors targeting minors on Facebook. The case revealed a troubling pattern of grooming and indecent communication with young girls, which ultimately led to his conviction and imprisonment.

Boorman, aged 39 and described as having no fixed address, engaged in a calculated campaign over several weeks during the autumn of 2020. Prosecutors detailed how he persistently badgered and pressured six different children through fake Facebook profiles, attempting to manipulate them into sharing personal information and engaging in inappropriate exchanges. One of his victims was ordered by him not to tell her mother about their interactions, highlighting the manipulative tactics he employed to conceal his activities.

Further investigations uncovered that Boorman was not only targeting children but was also attempting to deceive paedophile hunters. In a disturbing twist, he was seen sending indecent images of himself to the young girls and urging one to be a “big girl,” while simultaneously telling another that “mum does not need to know,” implying an attempt to hide his misconduct from guardians.

During the court proceedings at Canterbury Crown Court, Judge Catherine Brown sentenced Boorman to 16 months in prison. The judge emphasized the seriousness of his actions, which involved persistent grooming and exploitation of vulnerable minors. Boorman, who represented himself from HMP Elmley, expressed remorse during the hearing, stating, “I’ve never done this before, the drink overtook me. I would like to get back to normal, I’ve lost all my family.”

As part of his sentence, Boorman will be subject to a lifetime notification requirement, meaning he will be registered as a sex offender for life. Additionally, he received a 10-year sexual harm prevention order, restricting his contact with minors and limiting his online activities. Boorman had previously pleaded guilty to nine sexual offences in August of the previous year, acknowledging his misconduct and accepting responsibility for his actions. The case underscores the ongoing dangers posed by online predators and the importance of vigilance in protecting children from exploitation on social media platforms.