KEVIN CHALLEN AND SHOCKING SEX OFFENDER BREACHES IN WORTHING
A man with a proven criminal record as a registered sex offender has been sentenced to prison after violating the strict conditions imposed upon him through a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), by initiating contact with a minor under the age of 13.Kevin Challen, aged 55, who hails from the town of Worthing, had already been convicted in March 2021 for possessing indecent images of children.
These images were discovered on his computer following a police investigation, leading to a sentence that included a 10-month suspended prison term.
In addition, Challen was placed on the Sex Offenders Register for a decade and was subject to a series of restrictions under the terms of a SHPO designed to prevent further offenses.
Although complying with the initial sentence, Challen later violated the conditions of his SHPO.
During this period, he engaged in deceitful behavior, misleading acquaintances and family friends to establish contact, and then began messaging a 12-year-old child.
His interactions with the minor were conducted secretly, and these unlawful communications only came to light when the child showed remarkable courage and disclosed the extent of Challen’s contact to their parents.
This disclosure prompted immediate action from Sussex Police officers, who promptly arrested Challen once the allegations came to their attention.
An in-depth investigation was carried out following his arrest, which culminated in charges against Challen for multiple breaches of his SHPO.
Specifically, he faced three separate charges of violating the conditions of the order, along with allegations of failing to adhere to notification requirements mandated by the Sex Offenders Register.
Challen did not contest these charges and chose to plead guilty in court.
The case was brought before Lewes Crown Court on Wednesday, 15 March, where the judge sentenced him to a prison term of 31 months.
Additionally, the court decision included an alteration of his previous SHPO, which was now set to be enforced indefinitely, reflecting the gravity of his misconduct.
Dawn Hosken, a detective involved in the case, expressed her appreciation for the victim’s bravery and the support provided by witnesses throughout the legal process.
She emphasized the importance of community vigilance and the protective measures that safeguarded a minor from further potential harm.
Her statement underscores the seriousness with which authorities treat breaches of protective orders and the ongoing efforts to prevent sexual offenses in the Worthing area.
