LANCING MAN WAYNE BOOKER SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN KENT
| Red Rose Database
Lancing Sexual Abuser
In April 2014, a disturbing case unfolded involving Wayne Booker, a resident of Lancing, West Sussex, who was convicted and sentenced for a series of heinous child sex offences committed in Kent. The case revealed a chilling attempt by Booker to travel from Sussex to Kent with the intent to sexually exploit two young girls, aged just 11 and 7, based on a false belief that a father would permit him to carry out such abuse.
Booker, a 53-year-old architect known for his charitable and voluntary work on historic sites with children, arrived in Maidstone armed with a bag containing sex toys, condoms, lube, and a mask, all seemingly prepared for the purpose of engaging in sexual acts with minors. His plans were abruptly halted when he was identified as a suspect in a police sting operation. The police had set up an undercover online operation, during which Booker engaged in conversations with an officer posing as a parent, claiming to have two daughters and describing various sexual acts he wished to perform with them.
During these exchanges, Booker sent explicit child sex images and videos, including a four-minute tutorial aimed at paedophiles on how to abuse children. His online communications revealed a disturbing level of intent and premeditation. When he arrived in Maidstone, the child protection team swiftly apprehended him, seizing the bag of illicit items and other evidence from his possession.
In his police interview, Booker admitted that he had asked to have sex with the girls after the officer indicated he was 'up for some fun.' He explained that he had purchased the sex toys on eBay specifically for this purpose, and claimed the mask was intended for 'role play,' denying any sadistic intent. The investigation uncovered nearly 3,500 indecent images of children stored on his computer, with an additional 1,489 images having been deleted. Among the material found, Booker had distributed almost 300 images to the undercover officer.
Judge Michael Carroll sentenced Booker to five years in prison after he pleaded guilty to 11 counts of distributing indecent images of children, three counts of facilitating child sex offences, one count of arranging to facilitate child pornography, six counts of possessing indecent images, and three counts of making indecent images. The court also imposed an extended sentence, meaning Booker will not be eligible for release until he has served two-thirds of his term, and he will be on licence for an additional four years. Furthermore, he was placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely and was subject to a sexual offences prevention order banning him from working with children.
During the sentencing hearing, Booker’s defense lawyer, John Fitzgerald, described him as 'candid in the extreme' when arrested and emphasized his previously blameless life, including his voluntary work on historic sites. Fitzgerald highlighted that Booker had no prior convictions and was leading an ordinary life before his arrest, which had a profound and lasting impact on him. He expressed that Booker was genuinely remorseful, stating that he was 'never going to do this again' and that his online activity was influenced by adult pornography. The lawyer also noted that Booker had been in custody for four months, which had a significant psychological effect.
Prosecutor David McNeil outlined the severity of the case, emphasizing that Booker’s actions demonstrated a clear intent to exploit children and posed a serious risk of future harm. The court was told that Booker had no current relationship or children of his own. Judge Carroll condemned his actions, stating that Booker’s possession and distribution of such material, along with his plans to carry out abuse, represented a grave danger to children. The judge underscored that Booker’s behavior was driven by a desire to fulfill his own fantasies, which he believed he was about to act upon in Maidstone.
Detective Sergeant David Shipley expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating, 'I am delighted that someone who was so determined to sexually abuse very young children has been prevented from doing so and brought to justice.' He reaffirmed the commitment of the child exploitation team to use all available resources to protect children in Kent from individuals like Booker who seek to cause harm.
Booker, a 53-year-old architect known for his charitable and voluntary work on historic sites with children, arrived in Maidstone armed with a bag containing sex toys, condoms, lube, and a mask, all seemingly prepared for the purpose of engaging in sexual acts with minors. His plans were abruptly halted when he was identified as a suspect in a police sting operation. The police had set up an undercover online operation, during which Booker engaged in conversations with an officer posing as a parent, claiming to have two daughters and describing various sexual acts he wished to perform with them.
During these exchanges, Booker sent explicit child sex images and videos, including a four-minute tutorial aimed at paedophiles on how to abuse children. His online communications revealed a disturbing level of intent and premeditation. When he arrived in Maidstone, the child protection team swiftly apprehended him, seizing the bag of illicit items and other evidence from his possession.
In his police interview, Booker admitted that he had asked to have sex with the girls after the officer indicated he was 'up for some fun.' He explained that he had purchased the sex toys on eBay specifically for this purpose, and claimed the mask was intended for 'role play,' denying any sadistic intent. The investigation uncovered nearly 3,500 indecent images of children stored on his computer, with an additional 1,489 images having been deleted. Among the material found, Booker had distributed almost 300 images to the undercover officer.
Judge Michael Carroll sentenced Booker to five years in prison after he pleaded guilty to 11 counts of distributing indecent images of children, three counts of facilitating child sex offences, one count of arranging to facilitate child pornography, six counts of possessing indecent images, and three counts of making indecent images. The court also imposed an extended sentence, meaning Booker will not be eligible for release until he has served two-thirds of his term, and he will be on licence for an additional four years. Furthermore, he was placed on the sex offenders register indefinitely and was subject to a sexual offences prevention order banning him from working with children.
During the sentencing hearing, Booker’s defense lawyer, John Fitzgerald, described him as 'candid in the extreme' when arrested and emphasized his previously blameless life, including his voluntary work on historic sites. Fitzgerald highlighted that Booker had no prior convictions and was leading an ordinary life before his arrest, which had a profound and lasting impact on him. He expressed that Booker was genuinely remorseful, stating that he was 'never going to do this again' and that his online activity was influenced by adult pornography. The lawyer also noted that Booker had been in custody for four months, which had a significant psychological effect.
Prosecutor David McNeil outlined the severity of the case, emphasizing that Booker’s actions demonstrated a clear intent to exploit children and posed a serious risk of future harm. The court was told that Booker had no current relationship or children of his own. Judge Carroll condemned his actions, stating that Booker’s possession and distribution of such material, along with his plans to carry out abuse, represented a grave danger to children. The judge underscored that Booker’s behavior was driven by a desire to fulfill his own fantasies, which he believed he was about to act upon in Maidstone.
Detective Sergeant David Shipley expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating, 'I am delighted that someone who was so determined to sexually abuse very young children has been prevented from doing so and brought to justice.' He reaffirmed the commitment of the child exploitation team to use all available resources to protect children in Kent from individuals like Booker who seek to cause harm.