MARK CLOVER FROM FOLKESTONE JAILED FOR ONLINE SEXUAL OFFENCES INVOLVING YOUNG GIRLS IN KENT
In a serious case of online sexual misconduct, Mark Clover, a resident of Folkestone, has been sentenced to prison after being found guilty of engaging in disturbing and illegal communications with underage girls.The case was brought to light following an extensive investigation by Kent Police's Paedophile Online Investigation Team, which uncovered evidence of Clover’s inappropriate online behavior dating back to 2019.
According to court proceedings at Canterbury Crown Court, Clover, aged 36 and residing in Trinity Gardens, was involved in a troubling series of online exchanges with a 12-year-old girl.
Over a period of approximately four and a half months, he used WhatsApp to communicate with her, during which he attempted to persuade her to send explicit images of her body, specifically her breasts.
The court heard that Clover’s messages included sexually explicit language and solicitations directed at the young girl, which constituted serious criminal offenses.
Following a detailed trial, the jury found Clover guilty of multiple charges, including inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, engaging in sexual communication with a child, and attempting to communicate sexually with a minor.
His actions prompted a swift response from law enforcement, leading to his arrest in July 2020 at his home.
During the investigation, authorities seized and analyzed his mobile phone, which provided crucial evidence of his misconduct.
The evidence revealed that Clover had contacted a girl who was only 12 years old at the time, sending her sexual messages and encouraging her to engage in sexual acts.
Police also discovered that his messages contained unusual spellings and words, such as “Hay” instead of “Hey,” “Hugz” for “Hugs,” and frequent use of “He he,” which were found in his otherwise innocent daily messages.
These linguistic patterns raised suspicion and were indicative of his attempts to conceal his true intentions.
Further examination of his internet search history uncovered disturbing terms related to underage girls, including “virgin rape” and “10-year-old porn videos,” highlighting the severity of his online activity.
In one instance, Clover asked the young girl to send a topless photo, to which he later apologized, claiming, “I was truly not trying to be a paedo.” The court was also told that Clover falsely claimed to be a trained nurse and a youth worker in an attempt to justify his actions, even though he had no such credentials.
Additional messages showed that Clover had sent similar inappropriate messages to another girl he believed to be 14 years old.
His actions have led to a significant legal penalty, including a prison sentence of two years and seven months.
Moreover, the court imposed a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) on Clover, designed to restrict any future offending and protect potential victims after his release from prison.
This case underscores the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to combat online child exploitation and the importance of vigilance in safeguarding vulnerable minors.
