A notorious child sex offender from Chatham, Jason Hartley, has been locked up for more than 16 years. The 55-year-old was found guilty of multiple rapes and assaults against children dating back to the early 2000s.
Shocking Crimes Spanning Years
- Kent Police launched an investigation in July 2022 after a victim came forward.
- Hartley committed repeated offences between 2001 and 2007.
- A second victim revealed he had exposed himself on at least two occasions.
- He was arrested and charged with 15 sexual offences.
Lengthy Sentence and Lifetime Restrictions
At Maidstone Crown Court on 23 March 2026, Hartley admitted to multiple charges, including rape and inciting a child under 13 to sexual activity. A further five charges remain on file. On 10 April, he was handed a 16-and-a-half-year prison sentence, plus an extra year on licence. An indefinite Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) has been slapped on him, alongside mandatory registration as a sex offender.
Police Praise Victims’ Courage
“Hartley’s predatorial behaviour has caused immense harm to his young victims,” said Detective Constable Emma Davies. “This sentence and SHPO will stop him from hurting anyone else. I commend the bravery of the victims for coming forward and reliving their experiences to bring this man to justice. Hartley is finally facing the consequences of his disgusting crimes.”
