Kent Police has reported a child sex offender from Sevenoaks, who was captured on dashcam giving a pep talk to himself as he faced allegations of rape, has been jailed for almost 20 years.
The recording was seized by Kent Police as part of an investigation into a catalogue of offences committed by Karl Fisher between 2018 and 2022. Fisher subjected his young victim to repeated and systematic abuse, which included incidents when he would make them wear an eye mask, as well as headphones playing loud music.
The evidence on the dashcam was captured shortly before Fisher knew he was about to be arrested, on 27 May 2022. When the device was analysed by investigating officers, he was heard offering himself words of encouragement, including ‘you’ve got this’ and ‘you’ve still got options’.
At Maidstone Crown Court, Fisher, 34, admitted charges of taking indecent images of a child, and causing a child to engage in sexual activity but denied offences which included at least five rapes, as well as repeated sexual assaults and witness intimidation. The case went to trial and a jury found him guilty by unanimous verdict.
On 23 September 2024, Fisher was sentenced to 19 years and six months’ imprisonment. He was deemed as ‘dangerous’ by the judge and will have to serve at least two thirds of the sentence before he can apply for parole. Upon his eventual release from prison, Fisher will be subject to an extended licence period of four years. He was also added to the sex offenders register for life.
Leading the case was Detective Constable Amy Mulrey, of the West Kent Child Protection Team, who said:
‘Fisher is a depraved individual responsible for appalling abuse over several years. He is a dangerous, calculated and callous sexual predator who hasn’t shown a glimmer of remorse and has instead sought to apportion blame upon others and forced the victim and their family to endure a trial.
‘The damage offenders like Fisher cause is incalculable, but the victim has shown enormous courage to come forward and ensure he has now been punished. I do hope they can now move forward from this, reassured he will be serving a lengthy prison sentence and that importantly he no longer poses a threat to any other child.’