Sex offender from Maidstone jailed after using secret phone to groom child

• Bodycam footage shows Sean Royle being arrested

A sex offender from Maidstone has been sentenced to prison after breaching a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SPHO) and secretly used a mobile phone in an attempt to groom a 13-year-old girl.

Sean Royle had previously received a suspended sentence in 2021, following convictions which included the possession of indecent images of children.

Kent Police say the sentence included a SHPO, which contained a number of strict measures and restrictions concerning his access to the internet.

He had to notify police of any devices he was using such as phones and laptops.

The measures included requirements for Royle to notify police of any change in circumstances, such as a new address or if he had any contact with children.

In July 2023, checks established Royle was in a relationship with a woman with young children, but he had not disclosed this to Kent Police and was arrested.

An investigation led to the identification of a phone number linked to him, which police say was being used secretly to access social media accounts.

One of these accounts was a Snapchat profile, which on 1 September was used by Royle to contact a child living outside of Kent.

Kent Police say he established the victim was 13, and after revealing he was almost three times her age, told her he wanted to 'kiss and hug her.'

Royle, of Claremont Road, Maidstone asked her to be his girlfriend and sent a picture to the child showing his face and naked upper torso which had a distinctive tattoo - the victim told her father who contacted the police.

He was arrested again on 29 November 2023, when officers were able to locate and seize the phone he had been using to contact the child.

When the device was analysed it was found to contain almost 200 illegal videos and images.

The 37-year-old was charged with multiple offences, including engaging in sexual communication with a child, failing to comply with notification requirements, repeated breaches of a sexual harm prevention order, and making indecent images of children.

Royle pleaded guilty and on Thursday 21 November 2024, was sentenced to three years and eight months, and was subjected to a new ten-year SHPO.

PC Dan McNary said: "Royle had been given every opportunity to engage in rehabilitation and was subject to strict measures designed to reduce the risk of him reoffending.

"He has been unable to adhere to these restrictions and has demonstrated a clear determination to access the internet, in order to contact and abuse children.

"When we seized his phone, it was also clear Royle had been was accessing material which showed some of the worst offences against children imaginable, with many young victims suffering appalling abuse.

"Sexual harm prevention orders such as these are passed by the courts to help protect children from harm and as this case shows, we will do everything we can to ensure those who ignore them face the consequences of their actions."

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