TRAVIS FINN AND SOPHIE HEYWOOD SHOCK FOLKESTONE AND HYTHE WITH CHILD SEX PLOT

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the communities of Folkestone and Hythe, a 26-year-old man named Travis Finn has been sentenced to prison after being found guilty of arranging a sexual encounter involving a child. The incident, which took place in early 2017, involved Finn using social media platform Facebook to coordinate a threesome that included a vulnerable young girl. Finn, a father of five, resided on Frampton Road in Hythe at the time of his arrest.

According to court proceedings at Canterbury Crown Court, Finn enlisted the help of his girlfriend, Sophie Heywood, 21, who lived on Shellons Street in Folkestone, to facilitate the meeting. It was later revealed that Heywood provided details of the illicit rendezvous, which was arranged with the child. The court heard that during the course of this disturbing encounter, Finn took explicit and illegal photographs of the young girl, further compounding the severity of his crimes.

Finn pleaded guilty to charges of engaging in sexual activity with a child and producing indecent images. He was taken into custody last year and remanded while awaiting sentencing. His lawyer, Charlotte O’Connor, described Finn as being deeply ashamed of his actions and struggling to face the consequences. She emphasized that Finn’s remorse was genuine, though she acknowledged the gravity of his offenses.

In contrast, Heywood, who admitted to two similar offenses, avoided an immediate custodial sentence. Her legal representative, Michell Cohen, explained that she had been “open to persuasion” by Finn and that her involvement was influenced by her relationship with him. Cohen also noted that convictions of women for such offenses are relatively rare, highlighting the unusual nature of her case.

Judge Heather Norton delivered the verdict, sentencing Finn to a total of 54 months in prison. She also imposed an 18-month sentence on Heywood, which was suspended for two years. The judge expressed her profound concern over the nature of the crimes, describing them as “unusual and deeply troubling.” She emphasized that the victim was a child who deserved protection and that both Finn and Heywood bore full responsibility for what transpired.

During sentencing, the judge pointed out that Finn had lied to probation officers and attempted to deny his involvement. However, evidence in the form of Facebook messages clearly demonstrated that the offenses had been premeditated, involving plans to exploit a young girl and produce sexual images. As part of his punishment, Finn was ordered to register as a sex offender for life and was subjected to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Regarding Heywood, the judge acknowledged her vulnerability and her susceptibility to influence from Finn. She was also ordered to sign the Sex Offender’s Register for ten years. The court noted that Heywood showed some remorse shortly after the incident and had reported what happened, although she minimized her own role. Her actions ultimately prevented her from being sent directly to a young offender’s institution, but her involvement remains a serious concern.

This case underscores the disturbing reality of child exploitation facilitated through social media platforms and highlights the importance of vigilance and swift legal action to protect vulnerable victims from such heinous crimes.