Maidstone predator jailed for abusing 2 children

A child predator who pretended to be a teenage boy and bombarded 2 victims with sexually explicit messages has been jailed.

Connor Hurn, of South Park Road in Maidstone, began messaging a 14 year old in January 2022.

For 2 years he repeatedly targeted the victim, sharing indecent images of himself and demanding the victim to send similar content in return.

After being blocked from contacting the teen, Hurn set up social media profiles in which he falsely claimed to be 16 years old.

In September 2024, he used these profiles to target a second 14 year old in a similar manner.

This time he made demands for images of a more explicit nature.

Arrested

Hurn’s abuse was brought to a stop after just 4 days, when he was arrested by Kent Police, who had been made aware of his illicit online activity.

Officers seized his devices and a thorough investigation of the data contained within identified numerous other victims.

The 26 year old was later charged with:

• Engaging in sexual activity in the presence of a child
• Inciting a child to engage in sexual activity
• Attempting to engage in sexual activity in the presence of a child
• Sending a photograph or film to cause alarm, distress or humiliation

Sentenced

He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 6 years and 8 months’ imprisonment at Maidstone Crown Court on Thursday 14 May 2026. He was also made the subject of a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order and placed on the sex offenders’ register for life.

Police staff investigator Lauren King said:

‘Hurn is a serial predator who repeatedly targeted young and vulnerable children for his own sexual gratification. ‘He created an online persona to lie to his victims and gain their trust before abusing them. ‘The lengthy custodial sentence reflects the seriousness of his offending and means he will be unable to cause further harm for the foreseeable future.’