CASTLEFORD COUNCILLOR ALEX KEAR SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN WAKEFIELD

In August 2020, a disturbing case emerged involving Alex Kear, a councillor from Castleford, who was convicted of serious child sexual offences. Kear, aged 50 and residing on Stansfield Drive in Castleford, was serving as an Independent representative on Wakefield Council at the time of his arrest and subsequent conviction. His case drew significant attention due to the nature of his crimes and the fact that he held a public office.

The incident unfolded when Kear engaged in online communications with an individual he believed to be the mother of a three-year-old girl. Unbeknownst to him, this woman was an undercover police officer conducting an operation. Kear had sent her indecent messages and explicit images, expressing his desire to engage in sexual acts with the fictional child. During the conversations, he revealed a disturbing pattern of interest, stating that he had been interested in young girls for as long as he could remember and that he had waited years for an opportunity like this to occur.

Leeds Crown Court heard that Kear thought he was meeting with the child's mother to carry out his predatory intentions. He had arranged to meet again on August 19, 2019, but was arrested three days prior to the scheduled meeting. During the investigation, Kear admitted to sending a picture of his genitals to the undercover officer and made depraved remarks about his intentions toward the child. Prosecutor Jonathan Sharp detailed that Kear had expressed a preference for younger individuals, stating, “The older I get the younger I seem to like. Twenty years ago I would never have thought about a baby but now… young.”

Throughout the month-long undercover operation, Kear maintained his disturbing communications, which culminated in his arrest. He initially claimed to be a lone paedophile hunter, but later admitted to the charges in court. His offences included arranging or facilitating a child sexual offence and inciting the sexual exploitation of a child under 13.

Judge Simon Phillips QC presided over the case and sentenced Kear to four years in prison. Recognizing the severity of his actions and the high risk of harm posed to children, the judge also ordered an extended licence period of two years. In his remarks, Judge Phillips stated, “I have no doubt that if that three-year-old girl had existed you would have intended to carry out your degenerate predatory plans against her. This is a deep-seated degeneracy on your behalf, as illustrated by the communications you have made that you have been interested in little girls for as long as you can remember and that you have waited years for something like this to happen.”

Following his conviction, Kear will lose his seat on Wakefield Council, as he was an elected representative for the Airedale and Ferry Fryston ward, a position he secured in the May local elections by defeating Labour candidates. The council expressed frustration that, under current law, they could not remove him from office until he was sentenced to more than three months in jail. Additionally, Kear’s name will be entered onto the sex offenders register for a period to be determined at sentencing, reflecting the gravity of his crimes and the ongoing concern for public safety in Castleford and the wider Wakefield area.