Chatham Rapist who raped children jailed for 15 years

Fifteen years imprisonment has been handed to a Chatham man found guilty of raping a girl. Cameron Barnes committed the offences more than five years ago and was brought to justice after the victim disclosed to Kent Police she had been targeted by him when she was younger. The 27-year-old, of Westgate, Chatham, denied four counts of rape and an additional charge of sexual assault on a child. He was found guilty of all counts following a trial at Canterbury Crown Court and sentenced on Tuesday 19 November 2019. Detective Constable Emily Hooper, Kent Police’s investigating officer for the case, said: ‘Despite the victim’s age, and repeatedly being told it was against her wishes, Barnes subjected her to continual sexual abuse. ‘It took a huge amount of courage to report his offending and face him in court, when he chose to call her character into question rather than admit his appalling crimes. ‘I am pleased that we have secured justice for her and hope this result encourages other victims of unreported sexual abuse to get in contact with us so we can support them and pursue justice.’