Worthing: Pedophile jailed after texting child

Kevin Challen, 55, from Worthing, messaged the child while serving a 10-month suspended sentence after he was found with indecent pictures of children on his computer in March 2021.

Challen received the suspended sentence and was placed on the sex offender registry for 10 years and is subject to certain restrictions under a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).

While serving his suspended sentence, Challen continued to violate the terms of the SHPO and through lies and deceit befriended unsuspecting family friends and began texting a 12-year-old child.

Kevin Challen was sentenced to 31 months in prison (Image: Sussex Police)

The child was brave enough to inform his parents of the extent of Challen’s unlawful contact with them and this led to Sussex Police officers arresting Challen again.

Following an investigation, Challen was charged with three violations of his SHPO and failing to comply with reporting requirements on the sex offender registry.

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Challen pleaded guilty to the offenses and appeared at Lewes Crown Court for sentencing on Wednesday March 15, where he was sentenced to 31 months in prison and his SHPO extended indefinitely.

Criminal Investigator Dawn Hosken said: “I would like to commend the victim for having the courage to come forward and the witnesses for their support in this case. Challen, a convicted sex offender, is now in prison.”