KEVIN GRANT FROM CAMBRIDGESHIRE SENTENCED FOR CHILD SEXUAL OFFENSES IN ST IVES
A man from Cambridgeshire, Kevin Grant, has been sentenced to prison after attempting to engage what he believed to be a 12-year-old girl in sexual activities.The incident took place over two days, January 11 and 12, last year, during which Grant communicated with a decoy operated by an online child protection group.
Using social media platforms Facebook and WhatsApp, Grant initiated contact with the decoy, asking for photographs of the fictional child and encouraging her to touch herself sexually.
He also made comments about her attractiveness, employed sexual language, and inquired if she wanted to see an inappropriate image of himself.
These actions demonstrated a clear intent to exploit and harm a minor, even though the individual he was communicating with was an undercover operative.
Following his online interactions, Grant was arrested at his residence in St Ives on January 13.
The authorities acted swiftly to apprehend him after gathering sufficient evidence of his intentions and communications.
On May 16, during a hearing at Huntingdon Law Courts, Kevin Grant, aged 51, pleaded guilty to charges of attempting to cause or incite a child to engage in sexual activity and attempting to communicate sexually with a child.
As a result, he was sentenced to three years and four months in prison.
In addition to his incarceration, Grant was placed on the Sex Offenders Register and was issued an indefinite sexual harm prevention order, reflecting the serious nature of his offenses and the ongoing risk he poses.
Detective Sergeant Julia Boon commented on the case, stating, "Although Grant was not speaking to a real child on this occasion, his behaviour had the intent to cause harm so I’m glad he’s been jailed.
Protecting children from abuse is a force priority and we will do everything we can to protect them from harm."
