BARRY WATLING FROM LYDD-ON-SEA SENTENCED FOR CHILD ABUSE IN ROMNEY MARSH AND HERNE BAY

In a case that has shocked the local communities of Romney Marsh and Herne Bay, Barry Watling, a 33-year-old resident of Lydd-on-Sea, has been convicted and sentenced to three and a half years in custody at Canterbury Crown Court for a series of disturbing offences involving child exploitation and possession of illegal material.

Watling’s criminal activities came to light through the diligent efforts of paedophile hunters and dedicated abuse activists who managed to catch him in the act on two separate occasions, in 2017 and 2019. Despite clear evidence of his misconduct, including horrifying images of child torture found on his phone, police released him twice while he was still under investigation, a decision that has been heavily criticized.

The first incident occurred in 2017 when Watling was targeted by abuse activist Louise Walton, who posed as a 13-year-old girl online. During their interactions, Watling sent explicit images of himself, requested similar images from the decoy, and attempted to persuade her that they were in a romantic relationship. Prosecutors detailed that he urged her to keep their communication secret from her mother, turning the conversation increasingly sexualized. Ms Walton promptly reported his actions to the police, providing them with the illicit recordings and images he had sent.

Despite the evidence, Watling was released under investigation, even after authorities discovered indecent images of children on his phone, some depicting acts of torture. This decision allowed him to remain free, raising questions about the handling of such cases. His attention then shifted to 2019, when Michelle Burns, another child abuse activist posing as a 13-year-old girl, engaged with him online. Watling continued to send messages and made phone calls, ultimately attempting to meet her in Herne Bay for sexual activity. However, Burns, acting in cooperation with law enforcement, gathered enough evidence to arrest him once again.

It was only in 2021 that Watling faced a formal court hearing, thanks to the courageous efforts of a woman who posed as a teenager and maintained contact with him to gather sufficient evidence. She initially told him she was 13 to deter him but kept him engaged long enough to facilitate his arrest. Her bravery and persistence proved crucial in bringing him to justice.

During the sentencing, Judge Simon James expressed his concern over the case, highlighting that Watling had been identified in highly sexualized conversations with a minor in 2017 and was found with images depicting the sexual abuse of children. Watling, who resides on Coast Drive in Lydd-on-Sea, pleaded guilty to six non-contact sexual offences at the earliest opportunity, acknowledging the gravity of his actions.

As the court handed down the sentence, the judge emphasized the disturbing nature of Watling’s conduct and the failure of the authorities to prevent his reoffending despite prior evidence. The case underscores the importance of vigilant law enforcement and the ongoing fight against child exploitation, with the community now awaiting the full implications of the court’s decision.