A sex offender used dating and social media apps in an attempt to abuse a boy in Maidstone. Between 28 March and 24 April 2025, Kevin Scarnell repeatedly messaged a young teenage boy on a dating app and bombarded the boy daily with sexually explicit messages, including details of his sexual preferences, along with obscene images and videos.
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Enquiries established Kevin Scarnell was fully intent on meeting up with the child to sexually assault him. Throughout conversations, the 59 year old asked to meet in a car park on the outskirts of town.
Once a date and time was agreed, the offender repeatedly told his intended victim how ‘excited’ he was and even got a haircut the day before ‘to look sharp’.
On 25 April, Scarnell travelled from his home in Camden, London, to the agreed location in Maidstone. Proactive patrols spotted his blue Ford Fiesta suspiciously circling a car park near West Park Road. Unable to explain why he was in the area, Scarnell was arrested and his mobile phone was seized.
He initially denied any wrongdoing but later pleaded guilty to arranging sexual activity with a child, engaging in sexual communication with a child and causing a child to watch sexual activity.
He was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on 16 October to two years and eight months’ imprisonment and made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO).
Investigating officer, DC Andrew Hunter, said:
‘Scarnell acted with complete disregard for anything other than his own sexual gratification. While he initially claimed he arranged the meeting to dissuade his target from engaging in sexual activity, a thorough investigation uncovered his true intent. A custodial sentence, alongside the conditions of his SHPO, means Scarnell will be prevented from continuing his predatory behaviour.’