A convicted sex offender has been jailed again after breaching a court order by approaching children in a Maidstone library.
On 24 April 2023, Russell Hogg entered Maidstone Library, where a group of school children were sitting at a table and studying. He tried to engage them in conversation, stared at them for long periods and shouted towards the group as he was sat at a computer terminal.
Hogg revisited the library over the following weeks and on 12 May approached the same group of children. He asked ‘is this a social meet up or a study meet up?’ and loitered at their table.
Hogg, 64, of Middle Row, Maidstone was arrested on the same day and later charged with breaching a sexual harm prevention order.
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Convicted sex offender Russell Hogg Image: Kent Police
He had ignored a raft of measures, which strictly prohibited his access to anyone under 16, and started conversations with groups of children in school uniform.
Hogg was made the subject of a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) in January 2018, after he was sentenced to prison for making and possessing child sex abuse images.
The order contained several restrictions designed to safeguard children, for when Hogg was granted parole. These included a ban on any unsupervised contact or communication with a child, as well as limitations around his use of the internet.
Appearing before Maidstone Crown Court, he pleaded guilty and admitted further charges which included failing to comply with notification requirements and possessing and making indecent images of children.
On Tuesday 20 August, Judge Robert Lazarus sentenced Hogg to two years and 10 months’ imprisonment, describing him as ‘a committed paedophile’.
Upon his release from custody, he will be subject to a revised SHPO with further restrictions.
Detective Constable Homam Al-Sinawi said:
‘Hogg has a lengthy history of sex offences, and the most recent court order had been designed to reduce and manage any risks he posed upon his release from prison.
‘Unfortunately, Hogg has once again demonstrated a disturbing desire to be in contact with children and his behaviour has left his latest young victims feeling scared and anxious.
‘I’d like to reassure parents and guardians we have dedicated teams of officers with powers to closely monitor those convicted of sexual offences, and ensure they adhere to any measures and restrictions imposed by the courts.
‘Sexual harm prevention orders are just one of several tools which help us protect children and other vulnerable people, and which allows us to rigorously pursue offenders like Hogg and ensure they get the prison sentences they deserve.’