SEX OFFENDER JAILED FOR SHARING INDECENT IMAGES OF CHILDREN
A convicted sex offender from Maidstone has been sentenced to prison after being found guilty of sharing extremely disturbing images and videos, which a lead investigator described as among the worst they had ever encountered.Alan Richens received a three-year prison term after being convicted of distributing hundreds of indecent images featuring very young children via the Telegram messaging platform.
Following his release, he will be subject to a 15-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) and will remain on the sex offenders’ register for life.
On November 12, 2025, Kent Police acted on information indicating that a social media account user had uploaded indecent images of children online.
Initial investigations pointed to Richens as the individual responsible.
Police executed a raid at his residence on London Road, where he was found asleep.
He was arrested, and subsequent searches led to the seizure of his mobile phone.
Digital forensic experts examined the device and uncovered offensive messages on Telegram between Richens and another account, discussing child sexual abuse.
In these conversations, the 51-year-old shared over 218 indecent images.
Further investigations revealed additional conversation threads with other Telegram users that involved similar content.
Richens was charged with making and distributing indecent photographs of children.
He admitted to these charges and was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on Monday, June 22, 2026.
