STEPHEN MAYHEW FROM PLUMSTEAD SENTENCED TO THREE YEARS FOR SEXUAL MISCONDUCT WITH CHILD IN BEXLEYHEATH

In a significant case that has drawn considerable attention, Stephen Mayhew, a 48-year-old bus driver from Plumstead, has been handed a three-year prison sentence following his conviction for attempting to engage in sexual communication with a minor. Mayhew, who was employed at the Bexleyheath Bus Garage, was found guilty after admitting to charges related to attempting to contact a child for sexual purposes and attempting to incite a child under the age of 13 to participate in sexual activity.

The incident came to light when Mayhew was arrested on July 31 of the previous year. Over a period stretching from November 2023 to July 2024, he engaged in sending sexually explicit messages to what he believed was a 12-year-old girl. However, the individual on the receiving end was not an actual child but a decoy account operated by a paedophile hunter group aiming to catch predators.

The case was brought before Woolwich Crown Court, where Mayhew appeared for sentencing on Monday, June 16. The court not only imposed a three-year custodial sentence but also issued a 10-year sexual harm prevention order, restricting his contact with minors and monitoring his activities to prevent further offenses.

This case underscores the ongoing efforts by law enforcement and community groups to combat online grooming and protect vulnerable children from exploitation. Mayhew’s actions, which took place in the vicinity of Plumstead and Bexleyheath, have been met with widespread condemnation, highlighting the importance of vigilance and swift legal action in such cases.