Maidstone sex offender jailed for multiple offences

A sex offender has been jailed for repeatedly breaching orders designed to protect the public from harm.

Maidstone resident Asa Canterbury received a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and was placed on the sex offenders’ register in May 2024 after he admitted possessing indecent images of children.

Kent Police officers continued to monitor him since that time and he has now been sentenced to 2 years and 9 months’ imprisonment for repeated breaches of his SHPO and notification requirements. He was also found to be in possession of further photos and videos of child abuse.

Arrested

As well as failing to declare his use of several alternative names, Canterbury also did not tell officers he had an internet-enabled device or multiple bank accounts and cards. He had also failed to register social media accounts and usernames, and had interfered with the monitoring software installed on his phone.

Canterbury, 47, was arrested at his home in Banbridge Court on 23 September 2025 and later pleaded guilty to multiple offences including the breaches and possession of indecent images of children.

He was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on Monday 26 October 2026.

No hiding place

Lead investigator Mark Deacon of Kent Police said:

‘Whilst not all sexual offenders go on to commit further crimes, we take no chances and keep a very close eye on those who are deemed to pose a risk to children. ‘Asa Canterbury was well aware of the terms of his Sexual Harm Prevention Order and notification requirements but he tried to get around them by using a variety of different names, and by trying to keep numerous other details and belongings secret from us. ‘He now understands that there is no hiding place from the law and that if he commits further offences following his eventual release from prison then he will soon find himself back behind bars.’