ALAN PALMER SHORNE PERVERT SENTENCED TO 12 YEARS FOR CHILD SEX ABUSE IN MAIDSTONE

In a case that has shocked the local community of Shorne and the wider Maidstone area, Alan Palmer, aged 66, was sentenced to a total of 12 years in prison after being found guilty of multiple serious sexual offenses committed against young victims. The court proceedings, held at Maidstone Crown Court, revealed a disturbing pattern of abuse that spanned several decades, with the earliest offenses dating back to 1980.

Palmer, a former electrical switchboard operator residing on Racefield Close in Shorne, admitted to a series of heinous crimes including two counts of rape, four counts of indecency with a child, three counts of indecent assault, two counts of assault by penetration, and one count of sexual assault of a child. These admissions came during the trial, which uncovered the extent of his misconduct and the impact it had on his victims.

Despite his admissions, Palmer denied additional allegations, which included four counts of rape, six counts of indecency with a child, one count of indecent assault, and four counts of assault by penetration. These charges remain on the court record, but he was not convicted of them at this time.

The court heard harrowing victim impact statements, which Judge David Griffith-Jones QC described as “harrowing” to read. The judge emphasized the profound effect such abuse has on victims, stating, “It is difficult to overstate the horror and disgust with which all right-thinking members of the public will have heard the facts of this case.” He further remarked that the stories conveyed the traumatic and lasting damage inflicted upon the victims.

Throughout the sentencing, the judge noted that Palmer had shown some remorse but tended to minimize his actions. “To an extent you remain in denial,” he said, highlighting the defendant’s apparent difficulty in fully accepting responsibility for his crimes. Palmer, who appeared in court with his head occasionally shaking, was handed concurrent sentences ranging from two to twelve years. He will serve half of the total sentence, accounting for 126 days already spent on remand.

Prosecutor Mark Cotter detailed the circumstances leading to Palmer’s arrest in February, which was prompted by a victim’s disclosure that Palmer had touched her “around her private area.” He recounted that Palmer had told one victim that she was “really special” and warned her not to tell anyone, claiming he would get into trouble if she did. Following his arrest, Palmer admitted to feeling “a little bit aroused” but denied any sexual attraction to children. He expressed feelings of disgust with himself and a wish to undo his actions, stating, “He went on to say that he was disgusted with himself and wished he could turn the clock back.”

Palmer’s defense attorney, Charlotte Newell, described her client as “ashamed” and emphasized his desire for treatment and genuine remorse. She stated, “He wants treatment and he knows he must go to prison and be properly punished for this. He doesn’t want to put anyone at risk ever again.” The case has left a lasting impact on the community of Shorne and serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding children from abuse.