PAUL LINGHAM SHOCKS WOULDHAM AND MAIDSTONE WITH CHILD SEX OFFENSES AND INDECENT IMAGES

In a disturbing case that has sent shockwaves through the community of Wouldham and the surrounding areas, Paul Lingham, a man with ties to the small village near Rochester, has been sentenced to four years in prison for serious sexual offenses involving a young girl and the possession of indecent images of children.

These heinous crimes came to light when Lingham’s wife, Julie Lingham, who also holds the position of a special constable, discovered a video that revealed her husband's disturbing activities. The revelation occurred during a search of his belongings at their family home on Oldfield Drive, as she was preparing to initiate divorce proceedings. Her intent was to gather financial documents, but her discovery of the video changed everything.

According to court reports, Mrs. Lingham broke into her 36-year-old husband's briefcase, which was kept at their residence. Inside, she found a tape that initially appeared to contain pornography recorded from television broadcasts. However, as she watched further, the footage shifted to more disturbing content, showing her husband engaging in sexual acts with an unidentified woman. The video lasted approximately 35 minutes before the scene changed to depict Lingham assaulting a young girl, a revelation that prompted immediate action.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Mrs. Lingham promptly contacted Kent Police and handed over the video evidence. The police investigation quickly followed, leading to Lingham’s arrest on January 22. During the subsequent investigation, authorities discovered that his computer had been used to access and view indecent images of children on the internet, further implicating him in these serious offenses.

Paul Lingham, who worked as a support worker for officers at Maidstone Prison, admitted to the charges of indecent assault and the making of indecent images of children. His actions have not only resulted in his imprisonment but also a lifetime registration on the sex offenders register, reflecting the severity of his crimes. The court’s decision underscores the importance of safeguarding children and the community’s intolerance for such criminal behavior, especially from individuals in positions of trust and authority.