Convicted sex offender breached court order by approaching children in library.

Convicted Sex Offender Jailed Again for Approaching Children in Library

A convicted sex offender has been jailed again after breaching a court order by approaching children in a Maidstone library.

Russell Hogg, who was made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) in January 2018 for making and possessing child sex abuse images, ignored the restrictions prohibiting his access to anyone under 16.

On April 24, 2023, Hogg entered Maidstone Library where a group of school children were studying. He attempted to engage them in conversation, stared at them for extended periods, and shouted towards them while sitting at a computer terminal.

Hogg returned to the library over the following weeks and on May 12, approached the same group of children, asking "is this a social meet up or a study meet up?" and loitering at their table.

The 64-year-old Hogg, from Middle Row, Maidstone, was arrested on the same day and charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order. He pleaded guilty to this charge and admitted to further charges, including failing to comply with notification requirements and possessing and making indecent images of children.

On August 20, Judge Robert Lazarus sentenced Hogg to two years and 10 months' imprisonment, labeling him "a committed paedophile".

Upon his release, Hogg will be subject to a revised SHPO with stricter restrictions.