Detectives achieve Kent's first AI deepfake conviction

A Strood sex offender has become the first person in Kent to admit to creating sexually explicit AI deepfakes.

In February 2026, new legislation came into force that made it illegal to create such images using real people without their consent.

As a result of a previous conviction, 28 year old Harry Geddes has a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) in place which includes monitoring software on his mobile phone.

On 23 March, this software alerted officers that Geddes had been viewing explicit material involving people appearing underage. Further review of his phone revealed he had taken images from social media of adult women and a child, uploading them to an AI platform and putting them in sexually explicit scenarios.

Breaching SHPO

Investigators, from the North Kent management of sexual offenders team, also found he had made several aliases unknown to police and had used websites that prevented the retention of internet use history, both offences breaching his SHPO.

Geddes, of Silver Streak Way, was arrested on Wednesday 10 June 2026 and charged the following day with creating purported intimate images of two people without their consent, possessing indecent images of a child, and breaching his SHPO.

The 28 year old appeared at Medway Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 11 June and pleaded guilty to all offences. He was remanded in custody until his next hearing at Maidstone Crown Court at a date to be confirmed later.

Detective Sergeant Fleur Hardie said: ‘With AI usage rising, new legislation is increasingly needed to meet the criminality that can be committed through it.

‘Using AI to create intimate images is not a victimless offence and it can cause victims immense distress.'

‘Geddes may be the first to be convicted of creating explicit AI deepfakes, but anyone doing the same should be aware that this is a crime and we will come after you.