Sex offender jailed for targeting teenage girl in Gravesend

A sex offender who targeted a teenage girl in Gravesend has been jailed.

Kostyantyn Avdan, 30, of Rosefield Gardens, London, was sentenced to 5 years' imprisonment after being found guilty of multiple child sexual offences.

In 2021, Avdan contacted the victim through Snapchat. During their early conversations, the girl told him she was 14 years old.

Despite knowing her age, Avdan lied and claimed he was 23. He then groomed the victim online before their exchanges became sexual in nature and he demanded explicit images from her.

Arranged to meet

On 31 July 2022, Avdan arranged to meet the teenager in Gravesend after travelling from London. While they were together, he sexually assaulted her before returning to the train station.

Following the meeting, Avdan continued to send messages to the victim discussing sexual activity.

The offences were later reported to police, and an investigation was launched which led to Avdan being arrested on 16 June 2023.

As part of the investigation officers examined hundreds of messages that he had sent the victim.

Guilty

The Ukrainian national denied the offences but following a trial he was convicted of sexual communication with a child, sexual activity with a child and causing a child to engage in sexual activity. On Friday 2 October 2026, at Maidstone Crown Court, he was jailed for 5 years.

He was also made subject to a 20 year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Alison Elton said:
‘Avdan deliberately targeted and groomed a vulnerable child for his own sexual gratification, fully aware that she was only 14 years old.
‘His actions have had a profound impact on the victim, and I would like to commend her courage in coming forward and supporting this investigation.
‘Kent Police remains committed to tackling child sexual exploitation and bringing offenders to justice. We encourage anyone who has been the victim of sexual offences, no matter how much time has passed, to report it to us so they can access support and offenders can be held accountable.’