A convicted sex offender who assaulted a child in Gillingham has been handed a further prison sentence.
Ben Hanger, 34, from Sheerness, was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on Wednesday 4 December to four years in jail after he admitted sexual assault against a girl under 13 and inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity. He was also ordered to serve an additional five years on licence.
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He abused the young girl at a property between 2016 and 2017 and the offences were reported to Kent Police in 2021. He was arrested at HMP Elmley, where he is serving a 15-year extended sentence after he was convicted following a trial in December 2022. He was jailed after he attempted to kidnap a schoolgirl in January 2021. This additional sentencing will be added to his total years to serve.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Thabi Hollingsworth said:
‘Hanger is a dangerous man with predatory pattern of behaviour, and I’m pleased he has been sentenced accordingly.
‘He scared his young victim and told her to keep quiet, but I want to commend her bravery in reporting his offending and ensuring that he was held accountable for his offending.
‘Kent Police will always investigate reports of sexual abuse, no matter how recent, and there are specially trained officers who will ensure investigations are carried out diligently and sensitively.
‘I would encourage anyone who wishes to report similar offending to do so and to ensure an investigation can be started and perpetrators can be held to account.’