Maidstone sex offender used secret phone to groom child

A convicted sex offender from Maidstone has been sentenced to prison after ignoring measures imposed by the courts to prevent him from reoffending.

Sean Royle breached a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and secretly used a mobile phone in attempts to groom a 13-year-old girl.

Royle had previously received a suspended sentence in 2021, following convictions which included the possession of indecent images of children.

The sentence included a SHPO, which contained a number of strict measures and restrictions concerning his access to the internet. He had to notify police of any devices he was using such as phones and laptops.

The measures were also designed to safeguard children and included requirements for Royle to notify police of any change in circumstances, such as a new address where he may be living or if he had any contact with children.

In July 2023, checks established Royle was in a relationship with a woman with young children.

He had not disclosed this to Kent Police and was arrested.

Predatory behaviour online 

An investigation led to the identification of a phone number linked to him, which was being used secretly to access social media accounts.

One of these accounts was a Snapchat profile, which on 1 September was used by Royle to contact a child living outside of Kent.

He established the victim was only 13, and after revealing he was almost three times her age told her he wanted to kiss and hug her.

Royle, of Claremont Road, Maidstone asked her to be his girlfriend and sent a picture to the child showing his face and naked upper torso which had a distinctive tattoo. The victim told her father who contacted the police.

Videos of abuse on phone

He was arrested again on 29 November 2023, when officers were able to locate and seize the phone he had been using to contact the child.

When the device was analysed it was found to contain almost 200 illegal videos and images, many of which showed unknown children being sexually abused.

The 37-year-old was charged with multiple offences, including engaging in sexual communication with a child, failing to comply with notification requirements and repeated breaches of a sexual harm prevention order.

He was also charged with making indecent images of children.

Royle pleaded guilty and on Thursday 21 November 2024, was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court to three years and eight months’ imprisonment. He was also made the subject of a new 10-year SHPO.

Clear intent to carry out abuse

PC Dan McNary said:

‘Royle had been given every opportunity to engage in rehabilitation and was subject to strict measures designed to reduce the risk of him reoffending. He has been unable to adhere to these restrictions and has demonstrated a clear determination to access the internet, in order to contact and abuse children. ‘When we seized his phone, it was also clear Royle had been accessing material which showed some of the worst offences against children imaginable, with many young victims suffering appalling abuse. ‘Sexual harm prevention orders such as these are passed by the courts to help protect children from harm and as this case shows, we will do everything we can to ensure those who ignore them face the consequences of their actions.’