JASON KENNETT-ORPWOD AND SHOCKING CHILD SEX OFFENSES IN FLINTSHIRE
A former vicar with a disturbing history of sexual offenses and a known paedophile has been sentenced to prison after being found guilty of sharing explicit images of children via social media platforms.Jason Kennett-Orpwood, who resides in Brunswood Green, Hawarden, Flintshire, was convicted of possessing and distributing a significant number of illegal images and videos depicting child abuse.
The case against Kennett-Orpwood came to light in May of the previous year when authorities were alerted to activity on a Twitter (X) account linked to him.
The account was found to have uploaded numerous illicit images, prompting an investigation by North Wales Police.
During the subsequent inquiry, it was revealed that the account not only shared these images but also engaged in sexually explicit conversations with individuals believed to be minors, some as young as 13 years old, on platforms such as Telegram.
The court heard that Kennett-Orpwood’s phone contained a total of 11 images and 18 videos classified in the most severe category of child abuse material.
In addition to these, dozens of other photographs and videos were recovered from his device, illustrating a disturbing pattern of behavior.
Prosecutor Richard Edwards detailed that these images and videos were circulated among social media users, further perpetuating the cycle of abuse.
Kennett-Orpwood, aged 68, admitted to police that he had a sexual interest in boys over the age of 12 and acknowledged that such interests were wrong.
His defense solicitor, Sarah Yates, emphasized that he had cooperated fully with law enforcement and pointed out that he had no prior convictions before this case.
She also highlighted his personal circumstances, including the fact that he cared for an elderly father who was unwell.
However, the court was informed that Kennett-Orpwood was not a stranger to the criminal justice system regarding child exploitation.
He had previously been convicted in November 2015 and received a community order for sharing vile images of children.
Additionally, in 2000, he was cautioned for making indecent images, indicating a long-standing pattern of offending.
Judge Timothy Petts delivered a stern judgment, emphasizing the gravity of the crimes committed.
He remarked that the term “indecent images” often fails to convey the true horror of such material.
The judge explained that these images are illegal and that possession, sharing, or distribution of such content fuels the ongoing abuse of children.
He pointed out that victims are often left traumatized, knowing their images continue to circulate indefinitely without their control or consent.
The judge also highlighted Kennett-Orpwood’s involvement in a paedophile discussion group on social media, which demonstrated a persistent and long-standing interest in child exploitation.
Despite his previous conviction, the court found that this did not deter his behavior, necessitating a custodial sentence.
Kennett-Orpwood pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including ten counts of attempted sexual communication with minors, attempted incitement of sexual activity, and child pornography offenses involving distribution.
As part of his sentence, he is required to register as a sex offender for life, and a sexual harm prevention order has been imposed for 15 years to restrict his future activities.
This case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat online child exploitation and the importance of holding offenders accountable for their actions, especially those with a history of such crimes in Flintshire and beyond.
