Maidstone Crown Court
A paedophile has been jailed after his attempt to abuse a young boy in Dartford was thwarted by police.
On Friday 30 September 2022, Anthony Finnis travelled to Kent from his home in Norfolk to meet up with a 12-year-old boy with the intention of abusing the child. When he arrived at the meeting place, which was a coffee shop in Dartford, he was actually greeted by Kent Police officers and arrested instead.
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Jailed
The 36-year-old from Wymondham, appeared in court on Monday 3 October 2022 where he pleaded guilty to arranging the commission of a child sex offence and the possession and distribution of category A and B child abuse images.
He was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday 23 June and handed an eight-year prison sentence with a further four years on licence once he is released.
Investigating officer, DC Michelle James, from Kent Police’s Paedophile Online Investigation Team, said: ‘Finnis had arranged this meeting online with the intention of abusing a young child. He had even brought with him a Thor fancy dress costume as he believed this was the boy’s favourite Marvel superhero.
‘Finnis described his sexual desires in great detail during online conversations and had every intention of fulfilling them. His motives were clear, and we stopped him in his tracks.
‘Our team will continue to do everything we can to proactively target those people who seek to commit sexual offences against children and ensure they are brought to justice.’