Tunbridge Wells Paedo Jailed for 3 Years Over 20-Year-Old Child Sex Abuse
Jonathan Howard Locked Up for Historic Abuse
A Tunbridge Wells man has finally been sent down for abusing a child nearly two decades ago. Jonathan Howard, 59, of Huntingdon Avenue, was jailed for three years and four months after pleading guilty to two counts of indecent assault linked to offences between March and June 2001.
Victim’s Nightmare Spans Lifelong Trauma
Howard first came under suspicion when the victim reported the abuse to kent-police/" title="Kent Police" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Kent Police on April 21, 2019. He was arrested the same day and faced Maidstone Crown Court where he admitted guilt to two charges but denied two others, which the court kept on file.
Judge Julian Smith slammed Howard in court, saying the abuse had a “lifelong and huge” impact on the victim. “The victim has suffered much anguish and distress,” the judge said. He added Howard “does not fully grasp the harm he caused” and has “failed to accept his culpability.”
Police Praise Victim’s Bravery, Urge Others to Speak Out
PC Karen Perkins from the West Kent Vulnerability Investigation Team condemned Howard’s “most abhorrent” actions and called for other victims to come forward regardless of how long ago the crime occurred.
“I want to commend the victim for their bravery in helping us bring Howard to justice. It’s never too late to report sexual offences,” Perkins said. “Our specialist team works tirelessly to catch offenders, even when crimes happened years ago. All reports are treated with the utmost sensitivity and confidentiality.”
Justice may be late, but it has finally caught up with Jonathan Howard. The victim’s courage ensures a paedophile faces the consequences — and the message is clear: no one is beyond the reach of the law.
