KENNETH WASHBROOK FROM BECKENHAM SENTENCED TO INDEFINITE IMPRISONMENT FOR CHILD ABUSE IN KENT

On November 30, 2011, a man named Kenneth Washbrook, known to reside in Beckenham, was formally sentenced to an indefinite period of imprisonment following his conviction for serious sexual offenses against young boys. The court heard that Washbrook, aged 69, had a long and disturbing history of sexually abusing minors, which led to his current detention for the protection of the public.

Washbrook’s criminal record includes 23 previous sex offenses, highlighting a pattern of predatory behavior. His latest conviction stemmed from an incident in September, during which he took three young boys out for a weekend under the pretense of a recreational outing. The boys, aged between seven and nine, were subjected to sexual abuse by Washbrook during this period. The court was informed that Washbrook was accompanied by Peter Pay, a 53-year-old man from Sturla Road, Chatham, who also participated in the outing but did not commit any assaults himself.

Despite the fact that the outing was conducted with parental consent, the court found that Washbrook had breached the terms of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) and a suspended sentence previously imposed on him. CCTV footage from a McDonald's restaurant in Gillingham, where the boys were treated to a Happy Meal, showed Pay touching the children inappropriately at various points. Washbrook was also observed being overly tactile with the boys during the outing.

The children later disclosed that Washbrook had molested them, with one victim explicitly stating that his pleas for Washbrook to stop were ignored. The court was told that Washbrook’s actions were part of a pattern of sexual misconduct, and his record of six previous sexual assault convictions underscored his status as a high-risk offender.

Judge Philip Statman, presiding over the case, expressed his grave concern about Washbrook’s dangerousness. He stated, “I am satisfied you present a significant risk to the public and the only proper way of dealing with you is by an indeterminate sentence.” The judge emphasized that Washbrook would not be considered for release until he has served a minimum of two and a half years, and that the parole board would ultimately decide when it is safe for him to be released.

In his sentencing remarks, Judge Statman described Washbrook as an “entrenched sexual offender” who showed little insight into his crimes and was unwilling to cooperate with authorities on rehabilitation programs. He made it clear that Washbrook would remain on the sex offenders’ register and be subject to lifelong supervision on release.

Peter Pay was also sentenced, receiving two years for breaching the SOPO and an additional six months for violating his suspended sentence, to be served consecutively. The court’s decision underscores the seriousness with which the justice system treats offenses involving the exploitation of children, especially those committed by repeat offenders like Washbrook.