Man Jailed for Sexting Underage Girls
Mark Clover, 36, has been locked up for two years and seven months after a Canterbury Crown Court trial found him guilty of inciting a child under 13 to engage in sexual activity, sexual communication with a child, and attempted sexual communication with a child.
Police Crack Down on Online Child Grooming
Kent Police’s Paedophile Online Investigation Team swooped after receiving intelligence about indecent images potentially shared in 2019. Clover was arrested at his Trinity Gardens home in July 2020. Officers seized and analysed his mobile phone, uncovering damning evidence.
Damning Messages Revealed
- Clover sent explicit sexual messages to a 12-year-old girl and encouraged her to engage in sexual acts.
- He also messaged another girl he thought was 14 with similar inappropriate content.
Sexual Harm Prevention Order to Keep Public Safe
Alongside his jail term, Clover has been slapped with a 10-year Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO), stopping him from contacting minors once released.
Detective Constable Carl Evans said: “We are determined to protect children from online sex offenders like Clover, and I am pleased he is now unable to contact young people.”
“I urge anyone who believes they or someone they know has been targeted online to report it to the police at the first opportunity. We will work to bring offenders to justice and protect you and others.”
For advice and to report suspected abuse, visit Kent Police’s online child abuse page.
