A predatory child rapist, who subjected three victims to decades of “depraved and sickening” abuse, has been sentenced to life in prison. Michael Link, 72, from Tonbridge, was found guilty of 19 offences, including multiple rapes and indecent assaults, following a trial at Maidstone Crown Court.
Link’s decades-long campaign of abuse came to light in August 2019 after Kent Police received a report of repeated sexual abuse. A lengthy investigation by the West Division Child Protection Team uncovered two more victims, revealing that Link had been preying on young children since the 1980s. Detectives found that he was still offending in the days leading up to his arrest.
Throughout police interviews and his trial, Link maintained his innocence, claiming his victims had made “false allegations.” However, a jury found him guilty of all charges. During sentencing on Thursday, August 28, 2025, the judge labelled Link as “dangerous” and ordered him to serve at least 15 years before being considered for parole. If he is ever released, he will be subject to an indefinite license and remain on the sex offenders register for life.
Detective Constable Tania Muller said:
‘Link repeatedly subjected his young and helpless victims to depraved and sickening abuse. One of the children was as young as five years old. He is a predatory and dangerous child sex offender whose crimes will have had a devastating and lasting impact on the lives of all those he targeted. I would like to thank and commend the bravery of the victims who have endured so much, yet have thankfully summoned the tremendous courage to support this investigation. The incredible strength they have shown means Link will almost certainly spend the rest of his life in prison.’