Michael Funnell

Michael Funnell, a 31-year-old man from Ashford, Kent, was sentenced at Maidstone Crown Court on 28 April 2020 to 14 years' imprisonment following his guilty pleas to a series of serious sexual offences against five young children.

The offences occurred between 2016 and 2019 in locations across Tunbridge Wells and Ashford. Funnell was convicted of one count of rape and nine counts of sexually assaulting a child, with all victims aged under ten years old. Investigations by Kent Police revealed that Funnell had been subject to a sexual offences prevention order prior to these incidents, which he breached on three occasions. He also failed to comply with notification requirements on two counts and pleaded guilty to two counts of making indecent images of children, with evidence including abusive images found on his phone.

Funnell was arrested on 4 October 2019 as part of two separate Kent Police investigations. The case was handled by the Paedophile Online Investigation Team, which uncovered the extent of his depraved actions. Judge David Griffith-Jones QC, presiding over the sentencing, categorised Funnell as a 'dangerous offender' due to the significant risk he posed of committing further serious harm through sexual offences. The judge imposed an extended licence period of five years and ordered Funnell to serve at least two-thirds of his sentence before being eligible for parole. Additionally, an indefinite sexual harm prevention order was placed on him.

• Offences: Rape (1 count), Sexual assault of a child (9 counts), Making indecent images of children (2 counts), Breaching sexual offences prevention order (3 counts), Failing to comply with notification requirements (2 counts)
• Locations: Tunbridge Wells and Ashford, Kent
• Victims: Five children, all under 10 years old
• Investigation: Kent Police, including Paedophile Online Investigation Team

In his remarks, Judge Griffith-Jones stated: 'Experience tells us that the effects of this abuse is likely to blight the lives of these children as they grow up. I have no hesitation in concluding that you do indeed pose a significant risk of serious harm by the commission of further offending. You do have to be categorised as a dangerous offender.' Detective Constable Deniz Aslan from the Paedophile Online Investigation Team described Funnell as 'a very dangerous and manipulative individual... a depraved individual who has shown no remorse for his appalling actions and who lacks any awareness of the profound harm that sexual abuse causes to children'. The officer commended the bravery of the young victims who came forward to aid the investigations.

This case, reported by UKNIP on 30 April 2020, highlights the ongoing efforts by Kent Police to protect children from sexual exploitation and abuse. Funnell's actions demonstrated a pattern of predatory behaviour, underscoring the importance of robust monitoring for individuals subject to prevention orders.