Chatham Sex Offender Jailed for Targeting Child

David Kemp, a Chatham resident, has been sentenced to three years in prison for targeting a child. Kemp pleaded guilty to arranging the commission of a child sex offence and attempted sexual communication with a child at Maidstone Crown Court on Wednesday, 1 November 2023.

Kemp was apprehended by officers from Kent Police's Paedophile On Line Investigation Team at Strood Train Station on Wednesday, 13 April 2022. His arrest stemmed from an investigation uncovering Kemp's involvement in sexually explicit online conversations with a girl he believed to be 13 years old.

Between 4 April and 13 April, Kemp engaged in these conversations and sent explicit images. On 13 April, he traveled to Medway with the intent of meeting the girl he had been communicating with. Upon his arrival, he was arrested and subsequently charged.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Lise Roots stated: "We proactively target individuals who seek to commit sexual offenses against children. In this case, the evidence was overwhelming. By traveling to a prearranged meeting, Kemp has demonstrated a significant risk to children. The prison sentence is entirely justified and he will be required to comply with the terms of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order upon his release."