A Gravesend sex offender has received an extended sentence of 26 years for multiple child sex offences.
Matthew Jenkins
Matthew Jenkins was arrested on 8 August 2021 after Kent Police received reports he had targeted young victims between 2015 and 2021.
Officers also seized mobile devices and computers on which were found more than 350 indecent images and videos of children, including some within the most serious category. Jenkins, from Gravesend, was later charged with multiple child sex offences including rape. He pleaded guilty to all the indictments at Woolwich Crown Court and on Wednesday 6 November 2024, the 34-year-old was sentenced to 18 years’ imprisonment.
He will have to serve 12 years before he can be considered for parole, after which Jenkins will have to complete eight years on licence.
Investigating officer, Detective Constable Jack Evans, said:
‘Jenkins is a manipulative predator who abused young children for his own sexual gratification.
‘His depraved actions will have a lasting impact on the victims and I would like to commend their courage in reporting the abuse to the police.
‘I hope the fact that he is now serving a lengthy sentence allows those he targeted to move on from their appalling ordeal.’