KEVIN WATSON FROM ST LEONARDS ON SEA JAILED FOR SEXUAL OFFENSES INVOLVING AUTISTIC TEENAGER IN COUNTY DURHAM

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community, Kevin Watson, a 50-year-old man from St Leonards on Sea, East Sussex, has been sentenced to prison for engaging in sexual activities with a vulnerable autistic girl. The offences came to light after Watson traveled from his home in East Sussex to County Durham, where he met the girl’s mother through the internet, establishing a relationship that would eventually lead to a series of criminal acts.

Watson’s interactions with the family began online, with the defendant forming a friendship with the mother. Over time, this online relationship facilitated access to her 15-year-old daughter, with whom Watson subsequently built a close and inappropriate relationship. The court heard that Watson admitted to five counts of sexual activity with a child, a revelation that has caused widespread concern and condemnation.

The offences reportedly took place at the family’s residence in County Durham while the mother was away, as well as at a budget hotel where Watson and the girl met. Prosecutor Jane Mitford detailed the case, stating, “The defendant met the mother through the internet and that allowed the daughter access to the defendant.” She further read from Watson’s police statement, emphasizing, “In summary he admits that he took advantage of a vulnerable girl.”

Durham Crown Court heard that Watson’s actions were particularly egregious given the girl’s age and vulnerability. The court was told that Watson’s relationship with the girl was so close that she would text him and call him ‘dad,’ indicating a level of trust that he exploited for his own gratification.

Judge Christopher Prince, presiding over the case, delivered a stern sentence, stating, “You built up a close relationship with the girl to the extent she would text you and call you ‘dad’.” The judge expressed his disapproval of Watson’s actions, noting, “You must have surely realised that engaging in sexual activity with a young girl of this age, particularly when you were in a relationship with her mother, was likely to cause her real upset.” He also highlighted the breach of trust involved, remarking, “There was a degree of trust breached but you were not her father or stepfather, but clearly you are someone that the family looked upon fondly.”

As a result of his convictions, Kevin Watson was sentenced to 40 months in prison and will be required to register as a sex offender for life, marking a significant legal consequence for his actions and serving as a stark reminder of the importance of safeguarding vulnerable minors from exploitation.