OWEN PAYNE FROM MAIDSTONE JAILED FOR MULTIPLE OFFENSES IN CORNWALLIS AVENUE

A resident of Maidstone, Owen Payne, has been sentenced to prison following a series of serious breaches of a court order aimed at preventing further inappropriate behavior. Payne, who is a convicted sex offender, was previously given a suspended prison sentence after attempting to incite a child to engage in sexual activity. As part of his sentence, he was also subject to a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), which mandated that he inform police about any internet-enabled devices he had access to.

In September 2024, during a routine police check at his residence on Cornwallis Avenue, officers conducted a thorough search of his property. During this operation, they confiscated three mobile phones, a tablet, a gaming device, and a computer. It was discovered that none of these devices, nor any of Payne’s 16 online aliases, had been reported to the police as required under the terms of his SHPO. This oversight represented a clear violation of the court order.

Further investigations at the same address uncovered a disturbing cache of weapons. Police seized nine bladed weapons, including various knives and swords, which were found stored within the premises. The presence of such weapons in a private residence raised significant concerns about public safety and Payne’s compliance with legal restrictions.

Owen Payne, aged 24, faced multiple charges as a result of these findings. He was formally accused of breaching his Sexual Harm Prevention Order, failing to notify authorities about his internet-enabled devices, and possessing illegal weapons in a private setting. Payne did not contest the charges and pleaded guilty to all of them. His guilty plea led to a sentencing hearing at Maidstone Crown Court, where he was handed a prison term of two years and eight months on Tuesday, 4 February 2025. The court’s decision underscores the seriousness with which such breaches are treated, especially given Payne’s prior convictions and the potential risks posed by his possession of weapons and failure to comply with legal obligations.