David Smith, a Rainham Paedophile sex offender who utilised social media applications to groom and exploit children has been sentenced to nine years in prison.
David Smith, 68, utilised apps such as Snapchat, WhatsApp, and Kik to identify and communicate with victims as young as 12.
David Smith, residing on Childscroft Road in Rainham, was apprehended in December 2023.
An investigation by Kent Police revealed that in the months preceding his arrest, David Smith had utilised the internet to communicate with a youngster named Jake, whom he believed to be under 12 years old.
Conversations started by David Smith were explicit and included encouraging Jake to send a photo of himself at school and making plans to meet and abuse him.
In February 2024, officers then linked the investigation to a victim in Essex, who he also attempted to meet and abuse.
David Smith, sometimes also known as Andrew Fowler, pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court to several online offences committed between August 2023 and January 2024.
These included engaging in sexual communication with a child, arranging or facilitating the commission of a child sex offence, and causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
On Friday, 13 September 2024, David Smith was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment and will have to serve at least two-thirds before applying for parole.
Upon his eventual release from prison, he will be subject to an indefinite sexual harm prevention order and an extended licence period of two years.
DC Barbara Zamorska said: ‘David Smith has made persistent and repeated efforts to contact, meet and sexually abuse children. Whilst Jake did not exist – his profile was part of a fictitious account – the victim in Essex was honest and only 14.
‘David Smith used various methods to groom this vulnerable child, including making claims he was suicidal because of ill health, which made the victim feel he had to continue to engage with him. He also made several payments to the child, one of which was for £500 and was sent just days after his initial arrest.
‘The graphic detail and demands Smith included in his messages were hugely concerning. This case is another reminder to parents of children with mobile phones and tablets to speak to them and help them understand the precautions they should take when using the internet and social media apps.
‘Children should only communicate with people they know personally and report any suspicions or inappropriate advances from strangers to their parents, schools or the police.’
If you or anyone you know have been affected by the people highlighted in this article, then please report those individuals to the Police on 101 (999 if an emergency) or visit their online resources for further details of the options for reporting a crime. You can also make a report at Crimestoppers should you wish to be completely anonymous. There is help available on our support links page.