JONATHAN KENNEDY FROM RHYL SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEX OFFENCES IN CAMBRIDGE AND OTHER LOCATIONS

In October 2017, it was reported that Jonathan Kennedy, a man previously convicted of serious child sex offences, had been released from custody. His criminal activities, which spanned several years and multiple locations, drew significant attention from law enforcement and the judiciary.

Back in February 2013, Kennedy, aged 25 at the time, was convicted of a series of heinous crimes involving the grooming and sexual exploitation of minors. The case was heard at Nottingham Crown Court, where Kennedy was sentenced to a decade behind bars after he pleaded guilty to 17 separate child sex offences committed against seven different victims.

Kennedy’s criminal conduct was part of a broader, systematic campaign of online grooming that extended across the country. His actions included persuading young girls to send explicit photographs and engaging in sexual conversations with them. The court heard that Kennedy, who resided in Rhyl, North Wales, targeted victims in various cities including Cambridge, Stoke, Bradford, Nottingham, Crawley, and Crewe.

One of his victims was a 15-year-old girl from Cambridge. Kennedy managed to coax her into sending photographs by telling her he found it “sexy” that she was underage. Over time, he maintained contact with her through multiple online conversations, initially appearing friendly but gradually revealing more disturbing intentions. The girl described Kennedy as seeming “really nice” at first, but she soon realized the nature of his messages when he started saying “weird things” and expressing that he found it “sexy” that she was under 18. He also told her he loved her and repeatedly pressured her to send more photographs. Eventually, she recognized the inappropriate and harmful nature of their exchanges and cut off contact.

Kennedy’s predatory behavior did not stop there. He later targeted an 11-year-old girl from Nottingham, whom he believed to be 13. His online activities led to his arrest when police uncovered his extensive online grooming campaign. During the investigation, Kennedy admitted to preying on girls in multiple locations, often requesting explicit images and arranging meetings with them. His criminal record also revealed that he had engaged in sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl from Stoke in a tent he brought with him to the town.

Further examination of Kennedy’s devices uncovered a disturbing collection of 292 indecent images of children, including videos of some victims. His actions and possession of such material underscored the severity of his offending.

Kennedy’s legal team challenged his sentence, arguing that the punishment was “manifestly excessive” and that the sentencing judge failed to consider the full scope of his offences and mitigating factors. However, the Court of Appeal, comprising Lord Justice Davis, Mr Justice Bean, and Mr Justice Griffith Williams, dismissed the appeal. They emphasized that Kennedy’s crimes constituted a prolonged and calculated campaign of sexual grooming lasting approximately 18 months, during which he systematically targeted and exploited young girls. The judges described Kennedy as a “sexual predator” and affirmed that his sentence was appropriate given the gravity of his offences.

In addition to the grooming and sexual activity charges, Kennedy was convicted of six counts of inciting a child to participate in pornography, four counts of sexual activity with a child, five counts of taking indecent photographs of children, one count of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, and one count of meeting a child following sexual grooming.

This case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat online child exploitation and the importance of stringent sentencing to protect vulnerable minors from predators like Kennedy. His criminal activities, which spanned multiple locations and involved numerous victims, serve as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by online grooming and the necessity for vigilance and robust legal action to prevent such crimes.